Degarelix acetate for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Pharmacological methods of achieving androgen deprivation for the treatment of prostate cancer have evolved. New strategies are focusing on avoidance of the undesirable effects of testosterone surges or flares associated with the initial stages of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and the significant histamine-mediated side effects that can be associated with GnRH antagonists. Degarelix acetate (Firmagon; Ferring Pharmaceuticals) is a third-generation GnRH antagonist that has been shown to produce a significantly more rapid medical castration (without testosterone surge) and prostate-specific antigen response compared with GnRH agonists. The safety profile is comparable to GnRH agonists and anaphylactic reactions have not been reported. Degarelix is currently available as a 1-month subcutaneous injection and has been approved for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Copyright 2009 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.