Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. It has become a major public health concern due to an increasing incidence rate and high mortality rate.

Janssen Cilag, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing therapies for unmet medical needs. Recently, the company announced a formal extension of the use of its medicine, Erleada (apalutamide) in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland present in men. The gland is responsible for producing semen, which helps in the transport of sperm.

Prostate cancer occurs due to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. If these cancerous cells are not treated at an early stage, they can spread to other parts of the body, including the bones, causing serious complications and even death.

Erleada (Apalutamide) and Prostate Cancer

Erleada is a medicine developed by Janssen Cilag for the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as androgen receptor inhibitors.

Apalutamide works by blocking the action of male hormones (androgens), which fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells. The medication is first used to treat men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (NM-CRPC). This form of prostate cancer does not show any signs or symptoms but can progress and become metastatic.

Formal Extension of Erleada for the Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

The formal extension of the use of Erleada for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is based on the results of the TITAN study.

The study evaluated the use of Erleada in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared to ADT alone in men with metastatic prostate cancer. The study found that the use of Erleada in combination with ADT resulted in a significant improvement in overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival compared to the use of ADT alone.

Benefits of the Use of Erleada for the Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

The formal extension of the use of Erleada for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer provides significant benefits for men suffering from this form of cancer. These benefits include:.

Improves overall survival
Improves radiographic progression-free survival
Slows down the progression of the disease
Reduces the risk of bone fractures and other complications
Enhances the quality of life

How to use Erleada?

Erleada is available in tablet form and is taken orally once a day. The recommended dosage of Erleada is 240 mg (four 60 mg tablets) taken at the same time every day. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water.

Erleada can be taken with or without food. It is important to follow the dosage instructions given by the healthcare provider.

Side Effects of the Use of Erleada

The use of Erleada may cause some side effects, although not all people who use the medication will experience them. Some of the common side effects of Erleada include:.

Fatigue
Diarrhea
Rash
Low white blood cell count
High blood pressure
Joint pain
Headache

It is important to inform the healthcare provider if any of these side effects become severe or persistent. The healthcare provider may provide additional medications or advise on ways to manage the side effects.

Conclusion

The formal extension of the use of Erleada for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer provides new hope for men affected by this form of cancer.

The use of Erleada in combination with ADT has been shown to provide significant improvements in overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival. The medication is available in tablet form and is taken once a day. It is important to follow the instructions given by the healthcare provider to minimize the risk of side effects.