Here’s a link to an excellent article on the “real” abiraterone story, written by journalist Robert Sandall, who has advanced prostate cancer himself. He has spoken to researcher Johann de Bono directly, and quotes him as follows:
Some parts of the press have hyped this drug way beyond what I said about it. … This is not a cure, let me correct that. I believe this drug definitely works — but it works much better with some patients than it does with others.
The “New” Prostate Cancer InfoLink is pleased to see Dr. de Bono confirm our earlier analysis of the situation.
Filed under: Drugs in development, Management, Treatment Tagged: | abiraterone, cancer, hormone, prostate, refractory
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Exactly what is abiraterone treatment? I had radiation seed implants 3 years ago, but the doctor has discovered that the prostate cancer has returned. We are to discuss hormonal treatments this week, but I would like to have more information about abiraterone treatments. Thank you.
Dear Mr Sterba: For detailed information about abiraterone, which is an investigational drug, only available in clinical trials for men who have already stopped responding to hormone therapy and to docetaxel chemotherapy, we suggesting you click here and click here.
Hi,
I live in México City. My father suffers cancer of prostate with metastasis. In November 2003 he was controlled surgically, they made him an orquitectomía (castration) and until June, 2008 he had been in stable conditions but in August, 2008 the PSA he had 2410 with very much pain and now he cannot walk.
The doctor prescribed him anti-androgens (prednisone and ketoconazole and flutamide).
The medicine of the Johann Bono is very interesting. Please do you know how I can locate him? Or can you give me his e-mail contact. It is very important for me and my family. My father and my family need from his help.
Thank you for your considerations.
Kind regards
Dear Ms. Chavez:
I am sorry that I cannot write or speak Spanish, but I will try to explain about abiraterone acetate as simply as I can.
There is a new clinical trial of this drug starting very soon in America. Your father might be eligible for this trial, but I think he would have to be in America to be eligible.
The new Phase III trial will enrolling approximately 1,000 patients (like your father) who have failed standard forms of hormone therapy and are “castration resistant” but who have yet to receive any form of chemotherapy.
Patients will receive either abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or a placebo (a sugar pill) plus prednisone. The trial will be conducted at approximately 150 sites in North America, Europe and Australia. Cougar Biotechnology expects to start enrollment of patients into this trial before the end of March 2009.
You need to understand that the ONLY way that any patient can be given abiraterone acetate at this time is as part of a clinical trial. The drug is not available in any other way.
If you contact Cougar Biotechnology,10990 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (tel: +1 310 943-8040; e-mail: info@cougarbiotechnology.com), they will be able to tell you if and how your father might be able to take part in this trial.