Tx of Prostate Cancer Flashcards
Is prostate cancer typically hormonally responsive?
Yes! Just like breast, endometrial, and adrenocortical carcinomas. Thus, drug therapy is tailored around blocking hormone sensitivity
What is the first line treatment for prostate cancer?
combined androgen blockade- medical or surgical castration plus a pure anti-androgen. Other non-drug approaches include watchful waiting and external beam irradiation of the prostate, as well as implanted I125 titanium coated seeds used to treat early stage disease (a technique called brachytherapy)
Like other hormonally responsive tumors, a prostatic tumor can evolve into an androgen-insensitive growth pattern. How?
Usually there are changes in AR amplication, by point mutation and changed in co-regulatory proteins. Such effects result in a ‘super-AR’ that can respond to lower conc. of androgens or the ability to function in a ligand-independent manner
How does GnRH agonism down-regulate hormonally responsive tumor growth?
Normally, GnRH release is pulsatile so the continuous administration of GnRH can down-regulate pituitary receptors and ultimately decrease FSH and LH production. Note that there is an initial transient disease flare that is best managed by co-administration of an androgen receptor blocking drug
What are some GnRH analogs?
Goserelin, Histrelin, Leuprolife, and Triptorelin (continuous administration results in chemical castration in about 2-4 weeks).Given SC mostly
What are the common AEs of GnRH analogs?
symptoms that would be expected of a castration including hot flashes, decreased libido, ED, osteoporosis (no estrogen), and gynecomastiaCategory X preg
What is a GnRH receptor antagonist? Onset? AEs?
Degarelix (Firmagon). This drug is given SC and because it inhibits GnRH receptors directly, produces a much quicker onset than GnRH analogs and avoids the initial hormone flare associated with analogsAEs are similar to GnRH analogs
What is Estramustine (Emcyt)?
A PO drug that is a conjugated drug with an alkylating moiety attached to its estradiol structure. By targeting the estramustine binding protein on prostate tumors, it delivers the alkylator which functions as a microtubule inhibitor
AEs of Estramustine?
GI disturbancesgynecomastia, mastalgia, and impotence due to elevated levels of estradiol(similar to estrogen therapy)-depressed testosterone levels via nega. HP feedback-elevated LFTs and hyperbilirubinemia
What are some other effects of having elevated estrogen levels with prolonged estramustine therapy?
edema, thromboembolismMI, stroke and PE
What are some androgen receptor blockers?
Flutamide, Nilutamide, Bicaulatamide, and EnzalutamideNOTE: Spironolactine also inhibits androgen receptors and can be used to treathirsutism in women
Describe the androgren receptor blockers
These are PO non-steroidal blockers which diminish androgen-driven tumor proliferation
What are the AEs of the ARBs?
Common AEs of lack of estrogen including hot flashes, decreased libidio, ED, etc.
What are the other uses of Flutamide?
tx of hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome
What is Sipuleucel-T?
This drug is essentially immunotherapy customized to individual pts. by taking APCs and processing them to seek out prostatic tumor cells by stimulating a T-cell response against prostatic acid phosphatase
What are the AEs ofSipuleucel-T?
Mild infusion rxns; fever/chillds, and dyspneaparesthesias, citrate toxicity and fatigue
What does the enzyme 17a- hydroxylase do?
it mediates conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone and subsequently to androgens. Thus androgens levels are reduced and prostatic tumors lose their proliferative signal.
What is the difference between the effects of ketoconazole and 17a-hydroxylase inhibitors on adrenal hormone production?
Keto produces a hypo cortisol AND aldosterone state, while 17a inhibitors tend to produce a hyper-aldosterone state
What is Abiraterone?
A CYP17 inhibitor (remember these produce a hyperaldosterone state- treat with a corticosteroid (prednisone) to reduce ACTH stimulation)
What are the AEs ofAbiraterone?
elevated LFTsCat X drug- thus women should not handle the drug and condoms should be used for sex during pregnancy b/c of the ability of the drug to pass via the semen is unknown
How could prostate tumors be resistant to hormone targeting?
AR overexpression or mutations that promote ligand independenceincreased androgen production and reduction in tumor suppressors
How would the use of estrogens such as estradiol, DES, and ethinylestradiol be used to reduce testosterone levels?
They would feedback on the HP axis. These drugs are very protective to bone health BUT CV AEs have led to a reduction in use of these drugs in prostate cancer tx (but there has been some renewed interest in transdermal estrogen which has less CV effects than oral estrogen)
Note that the use of 5a-reductase inhibitors is still controversial in prostate cancer treatment/prevention
What are the conventional chemo drugs used in prostatic cancer tx?
Docetaxel and carbazitaxel for metastatic prostatic cnacer (both use premedication with corticosteroids and anti-H1/H2 histamine blockers to preemptt edema and injection rxns produced with these surfactant-containing drug preps)Mitoxantrone (+ prednisone) for palliation of severe pain for advanced hormone-refractory disease
T or F. Unlike other taxanes, Cabazitaxe is a poor substrate for the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein efflux pump and may be useful for trating multi-drug resistant tumors
T. In addition, cabazitaxel penetrates the BBB, where Pgp efflxu pumps may serve as barriers
