There was a release of preliminary data that suggests that men with cardiovascular disease being treated for metastatic prostate cancer may experience fewer cardiovascular events when treated with a GnRH antagonist, such as degarelix (Firmagon), compared with a GnRH agonist (Lupron, etc.).
The PRONOUNCE study from which the data was taken from is still accruing men. It is comparing the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events in men with prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease receiving degarelix or the GnRH agonist leuprolide (NCT02663908). This study is a multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial of 900 men.
The researchers are assessing for major adverse cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. The subject men, who all have prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, are randomized 1:1 to receive either degarelix or leuprolide for a maximum of one year.
This report is based on early, not mature data, so it should be used cautiously and with direct consultation with both your oncologist and cardio-vascular doctors.
Joel T. Nowak, MA, MSW wrote this Post. Joel is the CEO/Executive Director of Cancer ABCs. He is a Cancer Thriver diagnosed with five primary cancers - Thyroid, Metastatic Prostate, Renal, Melanoma, and the rare cancer Appendiceal cancer.
