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Degarelix as a new antiangiogenic agent for metastatic colon cancer?
Francois Ghiringhelli1, Nicolas Isambert, Sylvain Ladoire
1Unite Mixte de Recherche 866, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale/Universite de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France. fghiringhelli@cgfl.fr
Abstract:
Recently, follicle stimulating hormone receptor was found to be selectively expressed by endothelial cells on tumor-associated blood vessels in a wide range of human cancers. In this context, we hypothesized that degarelix, a new gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist developed for patients with prostate cancer, may have antiangiogenic effects via its capacity to block follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) production. We report the case of a patient with metastatic colon cancer exhibiting tumor progression after failure of all conventional chemotherapeutic regimens. The addition of degarelix to the last chemotherapeutic regimen was proposed as compassionate treatment. Degarelix induced a rapid decrease in FSH level. This treatment induced radiological stabilization and carcinoembryonic antigen stabilization during 1 year. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography demonstrated reduction of tumor vasculature. This case represents the first report of an antitumoral effect of degarelix in metastatic colon cancer and suggests an antiangiogenic property of this drug.
Insights
Degarelix, a prostate cancer drug, showed potential anti-cancer effects in a metastatic colon cancer patient by reducing tumor vasculature and stabilizing the disease for a year.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Follicle stimulating hormone receptor is expressed on tumor blood vessels in various cancers.
- Degarelix, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, was investigated for potential antiangiogenic effects by blocking FSH production.
Observation:
- A patient with metastatic colon cancer, refractory to chemotherapy, received degarelix as compassionate treatment.
- Degarelix administration led to a rapid decrease in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.
Findings:
- The treatment resulted in radiological and carcinoembryonic antigen stabilization for one year.
- Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography indicated a reduction in tumor vasculature.
- This case suggests degarelix possesses antiangiogenic properties.
Implications:
- Degarelix demonstrates a potential antitumoral effect in metastatic colon cancer.
- This finding opens avenues for exploring degarelix as an antiangiogenic therapy in other cancers.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the antiangiogenic mechanisms of degarelix.
