Implanting Enzalutamide to treat PC

This information came from Rick Davis in the weekly ancan.org newsletter. It’s really worth signing up for just the newsletters.

Enzalutamide by implantation

Promising low impact alternative to local RT & RP
AnCan pops up where you least expect it.
I opened an email this week from Cancer Network with a headline, "Enolen Displays 84% Reduction in Tumor Volume of Localized Prostate Cancer". I didn't recognize the name Enolen, but thought I recognized the technology... and I did. Enolen is developed by Alessa Therapeutics, a company founded by our Advisory Board Member, Dr. Pamela Munster in partnership with UCSF.

Enolen is the trade name for a capsule containing 2nd line anti-androgen drug, enzalutamide (Xtandi), an Androgen Receptor Signalling Inhibitor (ARSI). It is a drug frequently prescribed for men with more aggressive prostate cancer, usually but not always on recurrence and beyond.

The capsule is placed in the prostate gland in a procedure very similar to a biopsy, or the placement of fiduciaries to guide radiation. It dissolves very slowly dispensing the enzalutamide over an extended period.

This trial, conducted through the National Cancer Institute, used the capsule prior to a radical prostatectomy. The ultimate intent is for the capsule to replace surgery with a minimally invasive procedure comparable to a biopsy. The trial reported reducing the localized tumor by 84% in 35 days. It also showed very high levels of enz within the gland and no systemic absorption outside. There were no comorbidities associated with hormone therapy and similar side effects to a biopsy. Read Alessa's press release.

The future of this technology is exciting. It promises a low invasive, low side effect, whole gland treatment that could replace surgery or radiation to treat the prostate gland alone. For readers of this Reminder, other treatments would likely accompany Enolen, but dropping the side effects of surgery or radiation to the gland is a significant gain.