ADT or not?

[FortyWinks]

Hi, i have Stage 4 PCA, Gleason 5+4 so I am on Degaralix and Enzalutamide. I tend to refer to this treatment as ADT as shorthand because to my mind they both reduce testosterone. I wonder if I’m misusing ADT or does it matter?

[JohnInTheMiddle]

[Corrected version]

Degarelix is the ADT part. Enzalutamide is a completely different and complementary therapy - a NSAA (nonsteroidal antiandrogen). You could even add a third part of your therapy, if you are eligible, which is chemo, such as Docetaxel. When you do all three together, that's called triplet therapy.

I'm assuming from your reference to stage 4 that you are metastatic. It was not clear to me that your question was about misusing the acronym or that you were concerned about too much therapy.

[FormulaRob]

I am unfamilair with the two drugs you've listed but if they stop testosterone I would imagine that is what is important.

My dad was 226PSA and now undectible. He started on Firmagon once a month and then switched to Eligard once every 6 months. He has radiation to the whole pelvic area with a booster. They said he will need to remain on ADT for 2-3 years. So maybe someone can let you know if they are basically the same thing.

The conventional Bone and CT scans had not detected any distant spread last year. He did those scans twice each last year. He is now in the midst of doing these scans once more as a 6 month post radiation follow up fingers crossed that all is clean

Side effects hitting you hard I read in your Bio? are you doing better with those? exercise has helped my dad with them. Fatigue and hot flashes still hitting but overall he said he has gotten used to these side effects

[Tall_Allen]

You are right in that they both have an androgen-related role, but in different ways. Degarelix prevents testosterone from being produced by your testicles, which is what ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) is. Enzalutamide is an "anti-androgen" that prevents testosterone and other androgens from activating androgen receptors. It does not reduce testosterone (in fact, if taken without ADT, testosterone can accumulate to very high levels).

[j-o-h-n]

You can always use (ADT 1/2) as your shorthand.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 08/29/2023 6:23 PM DST

[dadzone43]

ADT=Androgen Deprivation Therapy both drugs deprive your cells of male hormones but by different methods.