Crpc and lupron?

[BigM62]

Once you are castrate resistant, do you get to stop the lupron?

[cfrees1]

Nope. The theory is that there are still some cells which are androgen sensitive so the Lupron will continue to hold those at bay. It just isn't effective against all of your cancer cells.

[Tall_Allen]

No, it never stops because "castration resistant" cells are actually even more sensitive to testosterone activation than "hormone sensitive" cells. The androgen receptors multiply so that even the smallest amount of androgens can activate them. It becomes necessary to get rid of every last bit of androgen, using Zytiga too, or to block the receptors with an anti-androgen, like Xtandi.

[jdm3 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Interesting. Yet they are starting to treat with the bipolar androgen therapy? Seems like that's adding fuel to the fire, but somehow confuses the cells.

[Tall_Allen in reply to jdm3]

Here's an explanation of how it works in theory:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/09/...

[jdm3 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks. Good summary. Encouraging to know there are so many different things being studied, but it also illuminates how much is not known and still needs to be studied. And, of course, poses the question... "what is the optimal sequencing of therapies?"

Enjoy the day.

[Hazard in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi Allen thats a good read, I need to takk to my MO about BAT.

However that article is 18 months old. Thats a lifetime in cancer research. Have ther been further trials, and in oarticular other results which support (or not) BAT?

Regards, Hazard

[Tall_Allen in reply to Hazard]

The article was updated on 6/2017 - nothing new reported since then. If you check the clinical trial announcements, they tell you when they expect to have findings to report. They usually announce them at annual conferences.

[Break60 in reply to Tall_Allen]

TA

Is Xtandi an improved version of casodex? If so should it be substituted for casodex for triple blockade (along with avodart)?

Bob

[Tall_Allen in reply to Break60]

They are both anti-androgens, but Xtandi also prevents the androgen receptor from translocating into the nucleus.

[Break60 in reply to Tall_Allen]

TA

Thanks. So is casodex useful in any setting?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Break60]

Yes. Casodex is used in many settings.

[FCoffey]

You can stop Lupron any time you want. As my oncologist said to me,

"Nobody is going to hold you down and give you the injection."

Whether your SHOULD stop is a tougher question. BAT and other alternative but relatively new treatments without a lot of field experience have been discussed here. BAT is nearly certain to make you feel better and improve quality of ,life, but it may or may not prolong your life.

At the castrate resistant stage, you face a lot of hard choices. There are no guarantees for any treatment. Some may work for a little while, others won't work at all, but you will spend precious time learning that.

The toxicities and quality of life degradation from Lupron are severe. Only you can decide if the benefits of continued treatment with Lupron are worth the personal costs. Your oncologist and other docs can advise you, but the final decision is always yours.

Good luck.