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New ‘take at home’ pill recommended for advanced prostate cancer

by Jacob Smith | News

19 July 2024

5 comments 5 comments

A close up of a man putting a pill into his mouth
Shutterstock - Ground Picture

More than 40,000 people could benefit from a new oral hormone therapy for people with certain types of prostate cancer.   

The pill, relugolix (also known as Orgovyx), has been recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today for advanced hormone sensitive prostate cancer.  

The drug, which is given before or alongside radiotherapy, is the first oral treatment of its kind to be approved by NICE. 

“Around 150 people receive a prostate cancer diagnosis every day in the UK,” said Dr Lyndsy Ambler, senior strategic evidence manager at Cancer Research UK.

“That’s around 55,000 cases every year. Thanks to research, there are more treatment options available for patients with advanced prostate cancer, including the newly approved ‘take at home’ pill called Relugolix.

“This treatment option enables people to take a tablet at their own convenience, rather than an injection at the GP surgery. By moving care closer to people’s homes, drugs like this can help to improve the quality of life for people with prostate cancer.”

How does it work?

Relugolix is a type of hormone therapy called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).  

Prostate cancer cells usually require specific kinds of hormones called androgen hormones, like testosterone, to grow. 

ADT reduces the levels of these hormones to prevent the prostate cancer cells from growing. Relugolix lowers testosterone levels by blocking hormone production in the testes. 

Hormone therapy on its own doesn’t cure prostate cancer, but it can lower the risk of an early prostate cancer coming back when you have it with other treatments.  

Hormone therapy is also a possible treatment for prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic or advanced prostate cancer. 

How effective is relugolix?

The NICE committee based their decision on evidence from the HERO trial.  

In the trial, 622 men received relugolix as a once-daily pill, and 308 received another hormone therapy called leuprolide, given as an injection every 3 months. 

Data from the trial suggests relugolix is better at reducing testosterone to levels that stop cancer growth in the longer term than leuprolide.  

It also showed that relugolix reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events, compared with leuprolide. An indirect treatment comparison suggests relugolix works as well as other ADTs.  

“We are continuing to focus on what matters most to people by recommending this innovative and effective treatment that can make a positive difference to people with advanced prostate cancer,” said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE. 

“Relugolix provides a convenient and flexible treatment option compared with therapies that need to be injected, helping people to avoid travel and time off work and the evidence shows it can improve people’s quality of life.”

NICE decisions apply to England and are usually adopted in Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a different process for deciding which drugs can be used on the NHS.

    Comments

  • larry verduzco
    2 December 2024

    I have Gleason 7 4+3, and have received radiation three days of cyber knife and going to do 18 months ADT, and have finished 28 days of IMRT. My psa was at 60, now 1.8

  • David Ronald Davies
    25 September 2024

    Do you know if RELUGOLIX is available to patients in Wales as health is a devolved power to the Welsh Assembly.

  • reply
    Tim Gunn
    25 October 2024

    Hi David,

    Thanks for your question. The Welsh Assembly has instructed the NHS in Wales to implement NICE guidance within two months of its publication, so relugolix should now be available.

    Best wishes,

    Tim, Cancer Research UK

  • Morris Mlotshwa
    18 August 2024

    Can I get orgovyx pills without doctor’s letter?

  • reply
    Jacob Smith
    20 August 2024

    Hi Morris,

    Thanks for your comment.

    Orgovyx is only available via prescription, so you will need to speak to your doctor if you think you might be eligible to take it. It’s important that you discuss any decisions about your treatment with your doctor, as they’ll be able to look at what your current treatment involves, how a new treatment like orgovyx may fit into your treatment plan, and whether you’re eligible to take it.

    If you have general questions about orgovyx or how it works, please feel free to reach out to Cancer Research UK’s nurses. You can call on freephone 0808 800 4040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, or if you’d prefer to write out your question, you can use this confidential online form.

    Alternatively, if you’d like to chat online with other people affected by cancer, you can join our fully moderated online community Cancer Chat at http://www.cancerchat.org.uk

    I hope that helps,
    Jacob, Cancer Research UK

  • Les
    14 August 2024

    I think the new pill is fantastic news for prostate cancer men. I’m one of those men. I have the injection every 3 months I’m also disabled so the pill would be less of a strain on me. Sometimes I can’t drive due to my other medication and have to go to my GP surgery on my mobility scooter. In the winter that’s cold and sometimes wet that alone puts my spine pain up another 3/4 click’s. I will be asking my GP about prescribing me this pill. I know this is down to cancer research and all the fantastic people that work to find treatments for all sorts of cancer. I’m on benefits but know the work you do is important and try and give support when I can. Keep up the great work you do.

  • salvatore latina
    29 July 2024

    i have been on lupron im for the past 15 months my testosterone level is 9(low)and my psa 8(h)my gleason level 8′.pet,neg;mri neg.would i benefit from being on orgovyx rather than lupron

  • reply
    Jacob Smith
    30 July 2024

    Hi Salvatore,

    The best thing to do when you have questions like this is speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to look at your current treatment and decide if orgovyx is suitable for you if you’re eligible to take it.

    If you have general questions about orgovyx or how it works, please feel free to reach out to Cancer Research UK’s nurses. You can call on freephone 0808 800 4040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, or if you’d prefer to write out your question, you can use this confidential online form. Just note that our nurses cannot diagnose you or give a medical opinion.

    Alternatively, if you’d like to chat online with other people affected by cancer, you can join our fully moderated online community Cancer Chat at http://www.cancerchat.org.uk.

    I hope that helps,
    Jacob, Cancer Research UK

    Comments

  • larry verduzco
    2 December 2024

    I have Gleason 7 4+3, and have received radiation three days of cyber knife and going to do 18 months ADT, and have finished 28 days of IMRT. My psa was at 60, now 1.8

  • David Ronald Davies
    25 September 2024

    Do you know if RELUGOLIX is available to patients in Wales as health is a devolved power to the Welsh Assembly.

  • reply
    Tim Gunn
    25 October 2024

    Hi David,

    Thanks for your question. The Welsh Assembly has instructed the NHS in Wales to implement NICE guidance within two months of its publication, so relugolix should now be available.

    Best wishes,

    Tim, Cancer Research UK

  • Morris Mlotshwa
    18 August 2024

    Can I get orgovyx pills without doctor’s letter?

  • reply
    Jacob Smith
    20 August 2024

    Hi Morris,

    Thanks for your comment.

    Orgovyx is only available via prescription, so you will need to speak to your doctor if you think you might be eligible to take it. It’s important that you discuss any decisions about your treatment with your doctor, as they’ll be able to look at what your current treatment involves, how a new treatment like orgovyx may fit into your treatment plan, and whether you’re eligible to take it.

    If you have general questions about orgovyx or how it works, please feel free to reach out to Cancer Research UK’s nurses. You can call on freephone 0808 800 4040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, or if you’d prefer to write out your question, you can use this confidential online form.

    Alternatively, if you’d like to chat online with other people affected by cancer, you can join our fully moderated online community Cancer Chat at http://www.cancerchat.org.uk

    I hope that helps,
    Jacob, Cancer Research UK

  • Les
    14 August 2024

    I think the new pill is fantastic news for prostate cancer men. I’m one of those men. I have the injection every 3 months I’m also disabled so the pill would be less of a strain on me. Sometimes I can’t drive due to my other medication and have to go to my GP surgery on my mobility scooter. In the winter that’s cold and sometimes wet that alone puts my spine pain up another 3/4 click’s. I will be asking my GP about prescribing me this pill. I know this is down to cancer research and all the fantastic people that work to find treatments for all sorts of cancer. I’m on benefits but know the work you do is important and try and give support when I can. Keep up the great work you do.

  • salvatore latina
    29 July 2024

    i have been on lupron im for the past 15 months my testosterone level is 9(low)and my psa 8(h)my gleason level 8′.pet,neg;mri neg.would i benefit from being on orgovyx rather than lupron

  • reply
    Jacob Smith
    30 July 2024

    Hi Salvatore,

    The best thing to do when you have questions like this is speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to look at your current treatment and decide if orgovyx is suitable for you if you’re eligible to take it.

    If you have general questions about orgovyx or how it works, please feel free to reach out to Cancer Research UK’s nurses. You can call on freephone 0808 800 4040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, or if you’d prefer to write out your question, you can use this confidential online form. Just note that our nurses cannot diagnose you or give a medical opinion.

    Alternatively, if you’d like to chat online with other people affected by cancer, you can join our fully moderated online community Cancer Chat at http://www.cancerchat.org.uk.

    I hope that helps,
    Jacob, Cancer Research UK