pill reduces Psa levels

Cougar Biotechnology,Inc., is conducting a clinical a stage three clinical trial, with a drug, which has produced a 90+% reduction in PSA in 80% of the patients tested.The company was recently purchased by Johnson and Johnson Inc. The drug, Abirateronone Acetate in combination with Pregnisone, is acepting applictions for the trial. You can get more information on Clinicaltrials.gov. 

Interesting to hear.but it does not say how long it keeps the PSA levels down and the PSA levels do not tell you if you have cancer just that it is a possiblity. If you have high PSA levels go for an MRI, biopsys can cause infections in the way the process is done,

MRI might be ok if you already have cancer confirmed by a biopsy, but as it was in our case, the MRI-spectroscopy study was essentially a waste of money--the radiology report and the doctor report came back with finding something "suspicious"...but something suspicious does not always mean cancer--and this can cause major aggravation and more anxiety when you only want answers.  As it is now, we are researching the best place for a biopsy because only tissue samples will tell you if you have cancer.  An MRI can be used to guide someone to suspicious areas, but that is all it can do...and that is according to every doctor and nurse I have emailed and spoken with so far, after getitng the report of the MRI.  I thought we were doing the right thing by going a non-invasive route first, instead of biopsy--but my husband will have to have a biopsy anyway. 

 

On 8/20/2009 jonathan in Waiora wrote:

Interesting to hear.but it does not say how long it keeps the PSA levels down and the PSA levels do not tell you if you have cancer just that it is a possiblity. If you have high PSA levels go for an MRI, biopsys can cause infections in the way the process is done,

Contact Cougar Biotechnology for a definite answer on the longevity. From what I interperate from their literature, is that they give a specific dosage daily, without any apparent side effects. The fact that the PSA is so greatly redused, means that the tumer growth has been signifcantly redused or put into remission. Since prostate cancer is slow growing, by slowing its growth, you have a cure, becuse it's unlikely it will advance to a stage that it could harm you,as long as its confined to the protate.

An MsI will not determine a gleason score, or the stage of the cancer growth.

 

 

On 8/20/2009 LYNBREN wrote:

Cougar Biotechnology,Inc., is conducting a clinical a stage three clinical trial, with a drug, which has produced a 90+% reduction in PSA in 80% of the patients tested.The company was recently purchased by Johnson and Johnson Inc. The drug, Abirateronone Acetate in combination with Pregnisone, is acepting applictions for the trial. You can get more information on Clinicaltrials.gov. 

I have a few questions

1) isn't Abiraterone a androgen blocking drug, in other words a hormone therapy, which has side effects, sexual dysfunction, bone loss,imptoence, etc.

2) in a trial 50 % get placebo

3) according to Web MD there is no cure for advanced prostate cancer

4) how long does this therapy last?

Dan

 

Hello

 

Actually just because your PSA number has dropped does not mean your tumor is reduced and it is only an assumption that it has slowed down. I have first hand info due to my father  having prostate cancer. It is true a biopsy may be needed but then an MRI can show up enlarged areas or mass as they put it. In Canada they only have the hormone treatment right now and my father use to have three a year. The most painful injection you could ever have. We have now cut the injections down to none and my fathers PSA down to colse to 3. without the hormone shots

Well best wishes to all

 

jonathan   

 

On 8/21/2009 jonathan in Waiora wrote:

Hello

 

We have now cut the injections down to none and my fathers PSA down to colse to 3. without the hormone shots

Well best wishes to all

 

jonathan   

The aim of hormone therapy is to reduce testosterone levels. If it works effectively, hormone levels can also remain low for some time after the therapy is discontinued.

The longer hormone treatment is used for the more potential there is for the effects to become permanent.

The drug, Abirateronone Acetate in combination with Pregnisone, look like it  will work well together, but I have one doubt and though, I would highly recommend, the drug Pregnisone,  There is a problem with  the other drug Abiraterone is just an other anti- sex hormone therapy drug  that blocks the production of sex hormones like  testosterone to the whole of the prostrate cancer patient body. I’ve read that  that Abiraterone may not  work if the prostrate cancer patient has been on any anti- sex hormone therapy drug, and the anti- sex hormone therapy drug has stopped working , I still think what we need is a drug that just works on the prostate cancer and dos not deplete  the whole of the patient body of testosterone

This next two bits are  from Wikipedia  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone   

Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant, and affects virtually all of the immune system. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases and (at higher doses) cancers, but has significant adverse effects. It is usually taken orally but can be delivered by intramuscular injection or intravenous injection. It has a mainly glucocorticoid effect. Prednisone is a prodrug that is converted by the liver into prednisolone, which is the active drug and also a steroid.

also from Wikipedia  Abiraterone is a drug currently under investigation for use in prostate cancer. It blocks the formation of testosterone by inhibiting CYP17A1 (CYP450c17), an enzyme also known as 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase.[1] This enzyme is involved in the formation of DHEA and androstenedione, which may ultimately be metabolized into testosterone. This drug was initially discovered and developed at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. Cougar Biotechnology is the biotechnology company conducting the research.[2] It has been announced that Cougar will be acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2009. Subsequent to merger, J&J will conduct trials.[3]

a pill sounds easy, but yes, it's hormone, so one will be impotent, and have other unpleasant symptoms.

 

Glad I went with HIFU ~ no side effects, no hospital time, no troubles.

ohnoo I tryed to get HIFU done to, but at $20,000 my insurance would not pay for it. I know now to look after my self, even with treatment one can still get cancer I stay away from procest foods also sugary foods and drinks and a high dose  of vitamin and minerals cheers Ray