Dr. Shore on Degarelix Versus LHRH Agonists

Neal D. Shore, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, discusses an analysis of degarelix and luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists in prostate cancer.

At the 2013 American Urological Association (AUA) Meeting, Shore presented a retrospective analysis looking at over 2,000 patients in six studies comparing degarelix, a GnRH antagonist, to LHRH agonists (typically leuprolide or goserelin). The analysis found a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality. These data generate the hypothesis that the antagonist may have less impact on cardiac myocytes and certain types of white blood cells, Shore says.

Additionally, researchers saw a delay in the degarelix population in converting from the androgen-sensitive state to castration-resistant state.