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Abiraterone Acetate: A Review in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostrate Cancer

Abstract

Oral abiraterone acetate (Zytiga®) is a selective inhibitor of CYP17 and thereby inhibits androgen biosynthesis, with androgen signalling crucial in the progression from primary to metastatic prostate cancer (PC) and subsequently, in the development of metastatic castration-resistant PC (mCRPC). In large phase 3 trials and in the clinical practice setting, oral abiraterone acetate in combination with prednisone was an effective treatment and had an acceptable, manageable tolerability and safety profile in chemotherapy-naive and docetaxel-experienced men with mCRPC. In the pivotal global phase 3 trials, relative to placebo (+prednisone), abiraterone acetate (+prednisone) prolonged overall survival (OS) at data maturity (final analysis) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) at all assessed timepoints. Given its efficacy in prolonging OS and its convenient once-daily oral regimen, in combination with prednisone, abiraterone acetate is an important first-line option for the treatment of mCRPC.

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Acknowledgments

During the peer review process, the manufacturer of abiraterone acetate was also offered an opportunity to review this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Correspondence to Lesley J. Scott.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

Lesley Scott is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer, is responsible for the article content and declares no relevant conflicts of interest. Additional information about this Adis Drug Review can be found at http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/AB98F0605A2BB450.

Additional information

The manuscript was reviewed by: P. Albertsson, Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; R.J. Amato, Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Memorial Hermann Cancer Centre, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Medical School), Houston, TX, USA; B. Lennernas, Department of Oncology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; C. Massard, Department of Drug Development, DITEP Gustave Roussy, University of Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.

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Scott, L.J. Abiraterone Acetate: A Review in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostrate Cancer. Drugs 77, 1565–1576 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-017-0799-9

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