PHARMACOLOGY
Enzalutamide is a potent androgen-receptor signalling inhibitor. It competitively inhibits binding of androgens to androgen receptors, nuclear translocation of activated receptors and the association of activated androgen receptors with DNA.1
CLINICAL STUDIES
In the phase III AFFIRM study, 1199 men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel and who were currently using a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue or had undergone orchidectomy were randomised to receive enzalutamide 160mg once daily (n=800) or placebo (n=399).2
Overall survival, the primary endpoint, was significantly higher with enzalutamide than with placebo in the intent-to-treat analysis: 308 deaths (38.5%) occurred in the enzalutamide group compared with 212 deaths (53.1%) in the placebo group (p<0.0001).2
References:
- Xtandi Summary of Product Characteristics, June 2013.
- Scher HI et al. N Engl J Med 2012; 367: 1187–97.
Further information: Astellas Pharma