Abiraterone

As Abiraterone is the name of an active ingredient that is mainly used in cancer therapy. By lowering the hormone level, it prevents the growth of previously unremoved metastases in the human prostate.

What is Abiraterone?

The abiraterone causes hormone inhibition in male cancer patients. In certain cases, the metastases are fed by the man's testosterone. In this case, the cancer no longer feeds on the testosterone in the blood.

This can already be significantly reduced as part of a therapy that has already started. In such initial situations, the cancer would consequently produce its own food in the course of what is known as androgen synthesis. For this, however, he needs the enzyme CYP17. Its production, in turn, is inhibited by the abiraterone.

In this way, the metastases can no longer feed themselves. The production of the hormone in the prostate, as well as in the adrenal glands and testicles, decreases. As a result, this should be accompanied by gentle treatment of the cancer. The process is considered relatively new and the corresponding preparations with the active ingredient abiraterone have only been used in practice for a few years.

Pharmacological effect

When used, the abiraterone - actually called abiraterone acetate - blocks the enzyme CYP17. This means that certain hormones in the blood can no longer be converted into testosterone.

The testosterone level thus decreases. As a result, the cancer can no longer feed itself from this. Likewise, however, it no longer finds enough hormones in the organism to be able to continue to grow. However, the abiraterone can only display its effects in combination with the artificial glucocorticoid prednisolone or prednisone. After all, the adrenal gland can no longer produce its own glucocorticoid due to the inhibition in the context of the use of the abiraterone.

This must therefore be supplied. In the cases tested so far, however, the success rate increased significantly. On the one hand, this increased the patient's chances of survival after diagnosis. On the other hand, the serious use of chemotherapy could also be delayed by several months. In addition, those affected reported little pain development. The administration of appropriate drugs could also be reduced.

Medical application & use

The abiraterone is currently only used in a small group of cancer patients. These must be male and have castration-resistant metastases. The growth of the malignant cells should therefore not have responded as desired to previous interventions.

It is also necessary that no chemotherapy has taken place so far and that no chemotherapy is imminent due to the state of health of the person concerned. In addition, hormone-blocking treatment should already have been started. In these cases, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage. So far, however, he should not have addressed any other measures.

The effects of this novel therapy are proving to be convincing. There was an improvement in health in almost all relevant case studies. Painkillers have been reduced and the length of hospital stays reduced. At present, an average survival length of about five months is expected compared to those patients who were not administered the abiraterone. At the same time, the quality of life increases significantly.

Risks & side effects

However, the abiraterone does not prove to be particularly advantageous in terms of any side effects. Pain and swelling of the joints and muscles are commonly observed. The heartbeat reaches an increased rhythm. A general tiredness occurs, smaller loads are more difficult to perceive.

In addition, water can be retained in the cells of the body. An increasing urge to urinate at night is also recorded. The stomach and intestines are also affected. The diet is only digested insufficiently, diarrhea and vomiting occur more frequently. If the abiraterone is used for a long time, the organs of the body can also be damaged.

The liver and heart in particular are considered vulnerable. The drug must therefore be consumed without exception on the advice of a doctor. Otherwise, the undesirable side effects can trigger acute to chronic ailments or thwart the hoped-for cancer treatment.