5 Best Abiraterone Alternatives For Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers found in men and often requires targeted therapies to control the growth of tumors and symptoms associated with prostate cancer. One anti-prostate cancer drug is Abiraterone, which works by inhibiting the formation of androgens (male-growth hormones), which can promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. However, patients may need or want to consider alternatives to Abiraterone for various reasons. This article describes some of the treatment options available as alternatives to Abiraterone, discussing both traditional therapies and generic options.

What is Abiraterone?

Abiraterone acetate is a drug with an androgen production inhibitor that prevents its production (like testosterone) by inhibiting an enzyme called CYP17A1. Essentially, Abiraterone reduces the levels of androgens available in the body, thus, it slows the course of prostate cancer, particularly in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). While Abiraterone works as an effective therapy, Abiraterone cost and its overall side effects may lead some individuals to find an alternative treatment.

 

Top 5 Alternatives to Abiraterone

The other treatments known to treat prostate cancer, specifically for late-stage prostate cancer or castration-resistant prostate cancer. These alternatives will aim to control the progress of the disease, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life.

 

Enzalutamide (Xtandi)

Enzalutamide, like abiraterone, is a common alternative. Enzalutamide is also an androgen receptor inhibitor; however, enzalutamide inhibits the androgen receptor directly and blocks the prostate cancer cell from responding to testosterone and other androgens.

• Indications: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

• Mechanism: It inhibits androgen receptor activation, making it believed to be a better therapy when testosterone is low or unmeasurable.

• Side Effects: Common side effects include fatigue, hot flashes, hypertension, and possible cognitive side effects like memory problems.

Enzalutamide is one of the most potent therapies for prostate cancer and is often recommended as an alternative therapy when patients cannot tolerate abiraterone and/or prefer a different approach.

You can buy Enzalutamide online from Medixocentre at an affordable price. Contact us to get your order today.

 

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent that has been used to treat prostate cancer for several years. As opposed to Abiraterone, which works on hormone production, docetaxel kills cancer cells directly by disrupting their ability to divide and grow.

• Indications: It is typically given for prostate cancer that has spread to distant sites.

• Mechanism: It is a microtubule inhibitor that inhibits the ability of cancers to divide and proliferate.

• Side Effects: Includes nausea, loss of hair and suppressed immune function.

Docetaxel is especially important when the cancer has metastasized and not responding to hormonal therapy alone.

You can buy Docetaxel online from Medixocentre at an affordable price. Contact us to get your order today.

 

Radium-223 (Xofigo)

Radium-223 is a targeted form of radiation therapy. It’s used for prostate cancer that has spread to the bones (bone metastases). This therapy will specifically give radiation to bone lesions, which may help reduce pain and slow disease progression.

• Indications: For castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases only.

• Mechanism: It is similar to calcium and will localize radiation to bone lesions to control their growth and the symptoms of the illness.

• Side Effects: Possible fatigue, nausea, and low blood counts.

The availability of radium-223 represents an important treatment option for prostate cancer patients with disease progression to their bones, primarily for pain relief and slowing the disease progression.

 

Apalutamide (Erleada)

Apalutamide is an anti-androgen treatment that is continuing to establish itself as an alternative to Abiraterone. Apalutamide, like Enzalutamide, acts to block androgen receptors on prostate cancer cells to prevent exposure to male hormones (i.e., testosterone) that would activate these receptors. 

• Indications: Apalutamide is approved for non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) as well as metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC).
• Mechanism: Apalutamide slows the growth of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting androgen receptor signaling, even in the context of the cancer being resistant to conventional hormone therapies. 
• Side Effects: Fatigue, rash, hypertension, and joint pain are common side effects.

Apalutamide is considered a potent treatment for advanced prostate cancer as a non-chemotherapy option, generally given to patients requiring non-chemotherapy. Apalutamide is often a first-line treatment as a substitute for chemotherapies like Docetaxel.

You can buy Apalutamide online from Medixocentre at an affordable price. Contact us to get your order today.

 

Bicalutamide (Casodex)

Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen that prevents androgens from binding to androgen receptors on prostate cancer cells. It is primarily used in combination with other therapies, but can be used as a stand-alone agent.

• Indications: Used in the course of treatment in early-stage Prostate Cancer and in metastatic disease.

• Mechanism: By blocking the androgen receptors, it will prevent cancer from growing by using male hormones.

• Side Effects: Hot flashes, GI disturbances, and liver enzymes.

Bicalutamide is a common therapeutic anti-androgen and a useful economic alternative to Abiraterone.

 

Generic Alternatives

Patients who are searching for more economical choices may want to look into generic medications that may be just as effective as brand alternatives. Below are the options known for prostate cancer treatment are:

Name of Medicine	Brand Name	Indication
Bicalutamide	Casodex	Early-stage and metastatic prostate cancer
Docetaxel	Taxotere	Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Apalutamide	Erleada	Non-metastatic and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

 

Conclusion

Although Abiraterone is an effective and popular treatment regimen for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, there are many alternatives to consider if patients need to switch therapies. Enzalutamide, docetaxel, radium-223, ketoconazole, or bicalutamide are some good alternatives, which depend on the type of prostate cancer, specific patient needs, and many factors, and their response to these new treatments.

Patients who want to save on medication costs could rely on generics, particularly bicalutamide and docetaxel. It is important that patients share the options with their providers, as well as understand what they might gain with each treatment, including both side effects, benefits, and what overall works best.

In seeking out alternative therapy, we add value in working with the collaborative efforts on treating prostate cancer rather than sitting and watching our patients' cancer progress.

Buy generic medicines online from Medixocentre at affordable prices. Contact us to get your order today.