Firmagon (degarelix) shows lower CV risks in treatment of Prostate Cancer

Data presented at the European Association of Urology 2013 annual meeting in Milan, indicate that the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist Firmagon (degarelix) from Ferring, may be associated with lower risk of a cardiovascular (CV) event or death compared to commonly prescribed luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists.

These data are based on a pooled analysis of 2,328 men with Prostate Cancer from six prospective, randomised trials. Analysis of the data also revealed that the men in the studies treated with Firmagon had significantly higher overall survival and improved disease control as evidenced by fewer fractures and a lower incidence of renal or urinary tract adverse events compared to men treated with LHRH agonists.

Concerns about the cardiovascular toxicity of LHRH agonists have been raised following the October 2010 warning by the FDA about an increased risk of diabetes and certain cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and stroke). The FDA based its warning on the review of several published studies.