40% boost in survival for men: Pairing two cancer drugs may reduce prostate cancer death risk - The Times of India
A recent landmark study reveals that men whose prostate cancer returns after initial treatment can significantly improve their survival when treated early with a combination of two drugs. In patients with high-risk recurrent prostate cancer — defined by rapid rises in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after surgery or radiation — adding the androgen-receptor blocker Enzalutamide to standard hormone therapy using Leuprolide lowered the risk of death by about 40 % compared to hormone therapy alone. The trial followed over 1,000 men in more than 17 countries over eight years and demonstrated a survival benefit that is poised to change treatment standards. Early intervention with this dual-drug approach may shift the focus from “watch and wait” to more aggressive management of returning prostate cancer. As researchers note, the findings represent a significant leap forward for patients facing this disease.
The Key points
- The trial targeted men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer — i.e., rising PSA after first-line therapy.
- Patients were randomly assigned to hormone therapy alone, enzalutamide alone, or the combination of both.
- After eight years, the combination therapy group showed significantly better overall survival (78.9 %) compared to hormone therapy alone (69.5 %).
- The hazard ratio for death in the combination arm was approximately 0.60, indicating a 40 % reduction in risk.
- The benefit of combining enzalutamide with leuprolide extends the therapy’s impact beyond delaying disease progression—it extends life.
- This treatment approach may redefine standards for patients whose cancer has returned but not yet spread extensively.
- Earlier-use of the drug combination is key: using it when the prostate cancer recurs may deliver the greatest impact.
- While the results are promising, physicians will need to weigh risks, side-effects, and patient suitability for earlier intervention.
- The findings support a shift in mindset—from monitoring low-level recurrence to taking proactive therapeutic action.
- Broader adoption of this combination therapy could yield significant survival gains in patients with high-risk recurrent prostate cancer.
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