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Accord Healthcare have recently announced that NICE has recommended the first oral androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) treatment for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men across the UK.

Orgovyx (relugolix), an oral ADT treatment for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, will offer patients a first-time choice between an oral or injectable ADT. It is applicable to patients with advanced hormone sensitive prostate cancer who are also receiving radiotherapy for high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Consultant clinical oncologist at the Bristol Cancer Institute, UK, and Professor Amit Bahl commented: “Through the recent pandemic, we have seen a growing need for flexibility in treatment administration.”

Prostate cancer cells usually require androgen (male) hormones, such as testosterone, to grow.

Stopping the release of testosterone from the testicles in prostate cancer through the use of ADTs is called medical castration and is a cornerstone of the medical treatment of prostate cancer. Injectable ADTs are currently the standard agents for achieving androgen deprivation for prostate cancer.

Steve Allen, retired doctor, prostate cancer patient representative at Tack le Prostate Cancer and patient, also commented: “Today’s approval marks an important milestone for the prostate cancer community. Living with prostate cancer is a daily challenge. From my own experience as both a patient and medical professional, I understand the burden that prostate cancer can place on every facet of life.”

People with high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer are normally offered ADT, surgery or radiotherapy.

“We are continuing to focus on what matters most to people by recommending this innovative and effective treatment that can make a positive difference to people with advanced prostate cancer. Relugolix provides a convenient and flexible treatment option compared with therapies that need to be injected, helping people to avoid travel and time off work and the evidence shows it can improve people’s quality of life”, added Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE.

Relugolix lowers levels of testosterone by blocking the production of the hormone in the testes. ADT can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks and heart failure. There were around 51,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in England in 2022. For patients with high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer are normally offered ADT, surgery or radiotherapy.