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An injectable hormone blocker for prostate cancer that lowers testosterone within days without the initial surge caused by agonists.
Degarelix is a competitive GnRH receptor antagonist given as a monthly subcutaneous depot for advanced prostate cancer. Because it blocks rather than stimulates the receptor, it lowers testosterone within days without the initial surge, or flare, caused by GnRH agonists, so no antiandrogen cover is needed. The CS21 trial (2008) showed testosterone suppression non-inferior to leuprolide with faster onset and lower PSA rebound, supporting US approval in 2008 and EU approval in 2009. A possible cardiovascular advantage over agonists in men with pre-existing heart disease was suggested by observational data, but the PRONOUNCE trial was inconclusive. Injection-site reactions are common and the monthly schedule is less convenient than three- or six-monthly agonist depots. For a newcomer, degarelix switches testosterone off quickly and cleanly.
Ball-and-stick model from PubChem 2D record (no 3D conformer available). PubChem record
Competitive GnRH receptor antagonist producing rapid testosterone suppression without flare. Connects to Androgen receptor.
1.Degarelix binds Androgen receptor.
Given by infusion or injection in a clinic or hospital outpatient department, so it is a Part B drug: Medicare pays 80% after the Part B deductible and the patient owes 20% coinsurance, uncapped in Original Medicare unless a Medigap policy applies. Monthly subcutaneous depot in the clinic.
Covered under the medical benefit; some plans require justification versus leuprolide.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
Sources: NICE TA404 · SMC advice: degarelix. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2008 | Advanced prostate cancer |
| EU | 2009 | Same |
Read for the class this product belongs to (androgen deprivation) unless the answer names the product. Population figures from the cohorts named, not a prediction for one person. Blank where no source gives a recovery figure.
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Query for this drug: (TITLE:"Degarelix" OR ABSTRACT:"Degarelix" OR TITLE:"Firmagon" OR ABSTRACT:"Firmagon") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Degarelix, not a curated reading list.
Shares Assessing Efficacy of Neoadjuvant ADT in Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Utilizing 18F-Flotufolastat PSMA PET/CT, Treating Prostate Cancer That Has Come Back After Surgery With Apalutamide and Targeted Radiation Based on PET Imaging, Two Studies for Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients With a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients With a High Gene Risk Score, The PREDICT-RT Trial, What androgen deprivation costs: the side of hormone therapy the survival curves do not show.
Shares Abarelix, Assessing Efficacy of Neoadjuvant ADT in Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Utilizing 18F-Flotufolastat PSMA PET/CT, GnRH receptor (GNRHR), Treating Prostate Cancer That Has Come Back After Surgery With Apalutamide and Targeted Radiation Based on PET Imaging.
Shares Investigation of the Effect of Degarelix in Terms of Prostate Volume Reduction in Prostate Cancer Patients, Neoadjuvant Study Investigating Degarelix in Patients Suffering From Prostate Cancer, Assessing Efficacy of Neoadjuvant ADT in Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Utilizing 18F-Flotufolastat PSMA PET/CT, Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer.
Shares Investigation of the Effect of Degarelix in Terms of Prostate Volume Reduction in Prostate Cancer Patients, Neoadjuvant Study Investigating Degarelix in Patients Suffering From Prostate Cancer, Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer, GnRH receptor (GNRHR).
Shares Assessing Efficacy of Neoadjuvant ADT in Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Utilizing 18F-Flotufolastat PSMA PET/CT, Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer, Treating Prostate Cancer That Has Come Back After Surgery With Apalutamide and Targeted Radiation Based on PET Imaging, Standard Systemic Therapy With or Without Definitive Treatment in Treating Participants With Metastatic Prostate Cancer.
Shares Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer, Standard Systemic Therapy With or Without Definitive Treatment in Treating Participants With Metastatic Prostate Cancer, Two Studies for Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients With a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients With a High Gene Risk Score, The PREDICT-RT Trial, Androgen deprivation & AR pathway inhibitors.
Shares What androgen deprivation costs: the side of hormone therapy the survival curves do not show, Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, Localised prostate cancer, high and very high risk.
Shares Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer, GnRH receptor (GNRHR), Two Studies for Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients With a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients With a High Gene Risk Score, The PREDICT-RT Trial, Prostate cancer.