Why is triptorelin used for prostate cancer?
Triptorelin may be used in advanced prostate cancer to lower levels of testosterone in men. Prostate cancer needs the hormone testosterone to grow. Almost all testosterone in men is made by the testicles. Triptorelin stops the testicles from making testosterone, reducing testosterone levels, and slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. This can help relieve symptoms such as painful or difficult urination.
How does triptorelin work?
Triptorelin mimics gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and is known as an agonist analog of GnRH. GnRH regulates the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH are known as gonadotropins because they stimulate the gonads (the testes in males and the ovaries in females) to release hormones. Triptorelin causes an initial, transient, surge in FSH, LH, and testosterone, which desensitizes the GnRH receptor through a negative feedback loop causing a sustained decrease in FSH and LH and a significant reduction in the production of testosterone 2 to 4 weeks after initiation.
Triptorelin belongs to the class of medications known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. The Trelstar brand of triptorelin may be used to treat men with advanced prostate cancer.
Triptorelin causes serum testosterone concentrations to fall to levels typically observed in surgically castrated men.
References
- Triptorelin Updated 01/2021. ASHP. https://www.drugclasses.com/monograph/triptorelin.html
- Triptorelin (Decapeptyl® or Gonapeptyl®) Macmillan Cancer Support. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/triptorelin#:~:text=Prostate%20cancer%20needs%20the%20hormone,cancer%20or%20stop%20it%20growing.
Read next
How long can I take Trelstar (triptorelin) for prostate cancer?
Trelstar (triptorelin) can be given for prostate cancer as long as it is tolerated and your doctor believes it is still safe and effective for you, which may be many years. Trelstar is intended as a long-term treatment, and despite the inevitable progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in most patients receiving androgen deprivation therapies (ADT), such as Trelstar, there may still be benefits in continuing ADT in men in addition to introducing other treatment options for CRPC. Continue reading
What is the strongest chemotherapy drug for breast cancer?
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color. It can cause your urine or other body fluids to turn a reddish color for 1 to 2 days after a dose is given, which is normal and temporary. Continue reading
Is small cell or non-small cell lung cancer worse?
Generally, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is worse than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC accounts for about 10-15% of people who have lung cancer and is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. SCLC usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi), and although the cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors. Early on in the course of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms. If caught early (limited-stage disease) 20-25% of people can be potentially cured. Extensive SCLC is more difficult to treat. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Is non-small cell lung cancer hereditary?
- How aggressive is non-small cell lung cancer?
- Does smoking cause non-small cell lung cancer?
- What type of prostate cancer is Erleada used to treat?
- What type of lung cancer is Vizimpro used to treat?
- What type of cancer is Tecentriq used to treat?
- What type of cancer is Daurismo (glasdegib) used to treat?
- Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone - How do they compare?
- Does omeprazole cause cancer?
- Why is Xanax so addictive?
- How do you increase platelet count during chemotherapy?
- What are monoclonal antibodies?
- Vicodin vs Percocet: What's the difference?
- How do I know if immunotherapy is working?
- Why give Taxol (Paxel) before carboplatin?
- What are anti-VEGF drugs (VEGF inhibitors)?
- What is Quercetin and what are its health benefits?
- My stool has changed color. What does it mean?
- How do I know if Aldara is working for skin cancer?
- How does Ibrance kill cancer?
- Does Xolair cause cancer?
- Does Skyrizi cause cancer?
- Is food coloring bad for you?
- Can Tymlos cause bone cancer?
- What is a chemotherapy regimen?
- How do Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Perjeta (pertuzumab) work together?
- How does chemotherapy affect the cell cycle?
- How much does Tecartus cost?
- How does carboplatin stop cancer?
- How is immunotherapy administered?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Triptorelin (2 questions, 4 members)
- Trelstar (2 questions, 8 members)
- Trelstar LA (1 questions, 7 members)
- Trelstar Depot (1 questions, 5 members)
- Cancer (175 questions, 641 members)
- Prostate Cancer (55 questions, 154 members)