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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Preliminary results of tranilast treatment for patients with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer
Kouji Izumi1, Atsushi Mizokami, Takashi Shima
1Department of Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan.
Background:
Tranilast is a therapeutic agent used in treatment of allergic diseases. It has been reported previously that tranilast has antitumour effects on prostate cancer cells. This study examined whether tranilast has clinical benefit for prostate cancer patients.
Patients And Methods:
Twenty-one Japanese patients with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were administered tranilast orally.
Results:
All patients had already been treated with combined androgen blockade followed by one or more salvage therapies and their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) continued to increase before starting tranilast. Median follow-up time was 14 months and median tranilast treatment time was 5 months. PSA progression was inhibited in 5 CRPC patients with bone metastasis. The survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 74.5% and 61.5%, respectively.
Conclusion:
Although this study involved only pilot data, it indicates that tranilast may improve the prognosis of patients with advanced CRPC.
Insights
Tranilast may offer clinical benefit for advanced prostate cancer patients. This pilot study suggests tranilast can inhibit prostate-specific antigen progression and improve survival rates in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tranilast is an established agent for allergic diseases.
- Previous research indicated tranilast possesses anti-tumor properties against prostate cancer cells.
- This study investigates tranilast's potential clinical efficacy in prostate cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical benefit of tranilast in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
- To assess tranilast's effect on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression.
- To determine the impact of tranilast on survival rates in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of twenty-one Japanese patients diagnosed with advanced CRPC was enrolled.
- Tranilast was administered orally to all participating patients.
- Patients had prior treatment with combined androgen blockade and salvage therapies.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited increasing PSA levels prior to tranilast treatment.
- PSA progression was observed to be inhibited in five CRPC patients with bone metastasis.
- Survival rates at 12 and 24 months were recorded at 74.5% and 61.5%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Pilot data suggests tranilast may improve prognosis for advanced CRPC patients.
- Tranilast demonstrates potential as a therapeutic option for advanced prostate cancer.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
