In the search for better cancer treatments, doctors are always looking for ways to fight the disease more effectively while causing fewer side effects.
A new study has given fresh hope to men with prostate cancer by introducing a new treatment option that might do just that.
Dr. Daniel Spratt, a top expert in Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, has shared exciting news about a drug called relugolix. This is an oral hormone therapy that could change how prostate cancer is treated.
The study, published in JAMA Oncology, looked at men with both early-stage and advanced prostate cancer. It included data from two major clinical trials in multiple countries, with 260 men taking relugolix along with radiation therapy.
The results were very encouraging. Relugolix did an excellent job lowering testosterone levels, which is important because some prostate cancers grow faster when testosterone is present. After 24 weeks of treatment, 95% of the men had their testosterone lowered to the right level. After 48 weeks, that number rose to 97%.
What really stood out was how quickly testosterone levels returned to normal after stopping relugolix. This is important because staying on low testosterone for too long can cause problems like heart issues and weaker bones. A quicker recovery could mean fewer long-term health problems and a better quality of life for patients.
Relugolix also matched the effectiveness of leuprolide, a widely used prostate cancer treatment, in stopping the disease from turning into a more serious form called castration-resistant prostate cancer. This shows that relugolix works just as well, while possibly offering fewer long-lasting side effects.
Safety is always a concern with new drugs, and relugolix did well here too. Only a small number of people in the study experienced serious side effects. This makes it a safer choice, especially for men who already have heart problems.
Dr. Spratt’s research shows that relugolix could be a better option for men who are getting radiation therapy. Since hormone therapy is often used for a limited time during treatment, having a drug that lets patients bounce back faster can make a big difference.
This study also highlights the growing promise of oral cancer treatments. Pills like relugolix are easier for patients to take and may help doctors combine different therapies in smarter ways.
In addition to this study, Dr. Spratt is leading another project called the OPTYX study. This research is looking at how relugolix works in real-life situations. So far, more than 600 men have joined the study, which aims to reach 1,000 participants. The results will help doctors understand how the drug performs in everyday care.
In short, relugolix is showing strong potential as a safer, easier, and effective treatment for prostate cancer. It may help men recover faster and live better after treatment. This is a great example of how new ideas in medicine can lead to better and more comfortable cancer care.
If you are concerned about prostate cancer, you may want to read more about the five types of bacteria linked to aggressive prostate cancer and a new strategy being tested to treat advanced cases.
Other studies have found new ways to lower the risk of the cancer spreading and discovered that a combination of three drugs may help people with metastatic prostate cancer live longer.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about a new method to treat cancer effectively, and this low-dose, four-drug combo may block cancer spread.
For more information about cancer prevention, please see recent studies about nutrient in fish that can be a poison for cancer, and results showing this daily vitamin is critical to cancer prevention.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
