What happens when abiraterone stops working?

When abiraterone, a drug commonly used to treat metastatic prostate cancer, stops working, it means the cancer has become resistant to the drug. Abiraterone works by blocking the production of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), which prostate cancer cells often rely on to grow. However, over time, prostate cancer cells can adapt and adopt ways to grow despite low androgen levels. When this happens, the cancer can continue to progress, and the following things can happen:

Cancer progression: The tumor may begin to grow again, causing an increase in symptoms or an increase in PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels, a marker used to monitor the progression of prostate cancer and Abiraterone Price in Malaysia.

Development of resistance: This resistance can be caused by several factors, including:

Alternative androgen production: Prostate cancer cells may develop mechanisms to produce their own androgens or activate androgen receptors even without external androgens.

Mutations in androgen receptors: Cancer cells may develop mutations that make them more sensitive to androgens or allow them to bypass the need for them altogether.

Switching to other treatments: If abiraterone stops working, doctors may recommend other treatments, such as:

Enzalutamide: Another androgen receptor blocker that works similarly to abiraterone but through a different mechanism.

Chemotherapy: Drugs such as docetaxel or cabazitaxel may be used when hormone therapies are no longer effective.

Immunotherapy: Drugs such as pembrolizumab or sipuleucel-T may be used for certain types of advanced prostate cancer.

Radionuclide therapy: Targeted therapy such as radium-223 may be considered, especially for prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.

Symptom management: As the cancer progresses, more advanced treatments may be used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, such as pain relief for bone metastasis or other palliative treatments.

Treatment changes depend on several factors, including the extent of the cancer, previous therapy, and overall health. The oncologist will decide next steps according to the patient's specific needs based on these factors and Abiraterone Price.