New Drug Slows Advanced Prostate Cancer

A study has shown that a new drug may stabilize progressive, recurrent disease in men with advanced prostate cancer and do so with minimal side effects. Conducted by researchers at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital (NY, NY, USA), the study was published in the September 2001 issue of the Journal of Urology.

Called exisulind, the drug is from a new class of compounds called selective apoptotic anti-neoplastic drugs (SAANDS), which induce apoptosis in abnormally growing cancerous cells. However, they do not induce apoptosis in normal cells, and as a result do not produce most of the adverse reactions or side effects normally associated with chemotherapeutic agents. Exisulind was developed by Cell Pathways Inc. (Horsham, PA, USA).

In a 12-month study, researchers followed 96 prostate cancer patients whose prostate glands had already been removed. All had rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels indicating recurrent disease. Half received exisulind and half were given a placebo. The results showed that patients given exisulind had a significant decrease in PSA levels compared to patients given placebo. Low-risk patients did not show a significant change in PSA.

"The side effects of hormonal treatment can significantly impact the patient's quality of life,” noted Dr. Erik Goluboff, director of urology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and principal investigator. "New treatment options that might delay the need for such side-
effect-prone therapies could provide great benefit in the management of prostate cancer.”




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