7,000 More Men in England Can Now Access a Prostate Cancer Breakthrough Drug

Around 7,000 more men with prostate cancer in England will now have access to abiraterone each year, after NHS England announced it will offer this breakthrough drug to men with high-risk prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the prostate. This expansion follows successful results from clinical trials showing the treatment can significantly improve outcomes for men whose cancer is still contained within the prostate gland.

What Makes Abiraterone Different from Other Prostate Cancer Treatments?

Abiraterone works differently than other hormone therapies used to treat prostate cancer. While most hormone treatments focus on blocking testosterone from reaching cancer cells, abiraterone goes a step further by stopping prostate cancer cells from producing testosterone themselves. This unique approach makes it harder for aggressive or treatment-resistant prostate cancers to adapt and continue growing.

The drug was originally discovered by scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research in the mid-1990s and developed into pill form by researchers at the Strathclyde Formulation Unit. Since its first approval in 2012 for advanced prostate cancer, ongoing research has continued to expand its potential uses.

How Effective Is Abiraterone for High-Risk Prostate Cancer?

The decision to expand access comes from impressive results from the long-running STAMPEDE trial. When abiraterone was added to standard treatment for men with high-risk localized prostate cancer, the results were striking. The combination treatment cut the risk of cancer returning by half and reduced the risk of death by 40% compared to standard treatment alone.

These benefits extend beyond just localized cancer. In 2017, the same STAMPEDE trial showed that giving men with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer abiraterone as a first-line treatment improved survival by almost 40% compared to standard hormone therapy.

Who Will Benefit from This Expanded Access?

The expanded eligibility specifically targets men with high-risk prostate cancer that remains localized within the prostate gland. This represents a significant shift from the drug's original use, which was limited to men with advanced, metastatic prostate cancer that had already spread to other parts of the body.

Several factors contributed to making this expansion possible:

• Clinical Evidence: The STAMPEDE trial provided strong evidence that abiraterone benefits men with localized high-risk disease, not just those with advanced cancer
• Cost Reduction: The price of abiraterone dropped significantly when its patent expired, making it more affordable for healthcare systems
• Proven Track Record: Scotland and Wales already began offering the drug more widely in 2023, providing real-world evidence of its benefits

This expansion means that thousands more men each year will have access to a treatment that can help them live longer, healthier lives even when facing aggressive prostate cancer. The drug represents just one example of how continued research and clinical trials can lead to better outcomes for cancer patients, with each breakthrough building on previous discoveries to help more people.