Enzalutamide + Leuprolide for Prostate Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests the combination of enzalutamide and leuprolide for prostate cancer that has returned after surgery or radiation. Researchers aim to determine if this combination can manage the cancer more effectively than each drug alone. Participants take enzalutamide pills daily and receive leuprolide injections every 12 weeks. Men who had prostate cancer treated with surgery or radiation and now have rising PSA levels (a protein marker in the blood) might be suitable candidates. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants a chance to contribute to potentially groundbreaking treatment advancements.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, such as 5-α reductase inhibitors (like finasteride or dutasteride), at least 4 weeks before joining. If you are on hormonal therapy, it must have been completed at least 9 months before joining the trial.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that enzalutamide, used alone or with leuprolide, is generally safe for treating prostate cancer. Studies indicate that enzalutamide is usually well-tolerated, though some patients might experience side effects such as tiredness, hot flashes, and high blood pressure, which are typically manageable.
When combined with leuprolide, enzalutamide has improved survival rates without causing additional safety issues. The side effects are mostly similar to those seen with enzalutamide alone. The FDA has approved this combination for treating high-risk prostate cancer, supporting its safety for this condition.
Overall, while side effects can occur, research suggests that both treatments are relatively safe for prostate cancer patients.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?
Researchers are excited about these treatments for prostate cancer because they offer a fresh approach to managing the condition. Unlike traditional therapies that often involve surgery or radiation, enzalutamide targets androgen receptors, which are crucial in prostate cancer growth, effectively slowing down tumor development. When combined with leuprolide, which lowers testosterone levels, the treatment aims to more effectively inhibit cancer progression. This dual-action strategy could provide a more comprehensive treatment option, potentially improving outcomes for patients compared to current standard therapies.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for prostate cancer?
In this trial, participants will receive different treatment options. Research has shown that combining enzalutamide and leuprolide, one of the treatment arms in this trial, greatly improves survival in men with high-risk prostate cancer that hasn't spread. Specifically, studies found that 87.3% of patients on this combination remained free from cancer spread after five years. Another arm in this trial involves enzalutamide monotherapy, which also performs well, significantly slowing cancer progression and reducing the risk of death by 33% compared to other treatments. Both options offer better results than standard therapies, providing hope for those with prostate cancer.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Pfizer CT.gov Call Center
Principal Investigator
Pfizer
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Men with high-risk, nonmetastatic prostate cancer that's progressing after surgery or radiation can join. They need a PSA doubling time of ≤9 months and certain PSA levels depending on prior treatments. Exclusions include recent use of specific drugs, brain metastasis, distant metastases, previous hormonal therapy (with some exceptions), chemotherapy for prostate cancer, major surgery within the last month, or another invasive cancer in the past 3 years.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive enzalutamide plus leuprolide, enzalutamide monotherapy, or leuprolide plus placebo
Open-label extension
Participants continue to receive leuprolide alone in an open-label format
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Enzalutamide
- Leuprolide
Enzalutamide is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan for the following indications:
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
- Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
- Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
- Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
- Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Pfizer
Lead Sponsor
Albert Bourla
Pfizer
Chief Executive Officer since 2019
PhD in Biotechnology of Reproduction, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Patrizia Cavazzoni
Pfizer
Chief Medical Officer
MD from McGill University
Astellas Pharma Inc
Industry Sponsor
Tadaaki Taniguchi
Astellas Pharma Inc
Chief Medical Officer since 2023
MD, PhD
Naoki Okamura
Astellas Pharma Inc
Chief Executive Officer since 2023
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Pharmacy
Medivation LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.
Industry Sponsor