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Updated: Jul 13, 2025

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Relugolix vs. Leuprolide Effects on Castration Resistance-Free Survival from the Phase 3 HERO Study in Men with
Fred Saad1, Daniel J George2, Michael S Cookson3
1University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC H2X 3E4, Canada.
Abstract:
Background: Relugolix is an oral GnRH receptor antagonist approved for men with advanced prostate cancer. Relugolix treatment has demonstrated an ability to lower testosterone to sustained castration levels in the phase 4 HERO study. Herein, we describe the results of a secondary endpoint of castration resistance-free survival (CRFS) during 48 weeks of treatment and profile patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Methods: Subjects were 2:1 randomized to either relugolix 120 mg orally once daily (after a single 360 mg loading dose) or 3-monthly injections of leuprolide for 48 weeks. CRFS, defined as the time from the date of first dose to the date of confirmed prostate-specific antigen progression while castrated or death due to any reason was conducted in the metastatic disease population and the overall modified intention-to-treat (mITT) populations. Results: The CRFS analysis (mITT population) included 1074 men (relugolix: n = 717; leuprolide: n = 357) with advanced prostate cancer as well as 434 men (relugolix: n = 290; leuprolide: n = 144) with metastatic prostate cancer. In the metastatic disease populations, CRFS rates were 74.3% (95% CI: 68.6%, 79.2%) and 75.3% (95% CI: 66.7%, 81.9%) in the relugolix and leuprolide groups, respectively (hazard ratio: 1.03 [0.68, 1.57]; p = 0.84) at week 48. Results in the overall mITT population were similar to the metastatic population. No new safety findings were identified. Conclusions: In men with metastatic disease or in the overall population of the HERO study, CRFS assessed during the 48-week treatment with relugolix was not significantly different than standard-of-care leuprolide. Relugolix had similar efficacy for men with/without CRFS progression events.
Insights
Relugolix, an oral GnRH antagonist, showed similar castration resistance-free survival (CRFS) compared to leuprolide in advanced prostate cancer patients over 48 weeks. This oral treatment offers comparable efficacy to standard injections.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Relugolix is an oral GnRH receptor antagonist for advanced prostate cancer.
- The HERO study demonstrated relugolix's ability to achieve sustained testosterone suppression.
- This analysis focuses on castration resistance-free survival (CRFS) as a secondary endpoint.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate castration resistance-free survival (CRFS) in men with advanced prostate cancer treated with relugolix versus leuprolide.
- To profile patients experiencing castration resistance during treatment.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of oral relugolix compared to standard androgen deprivation therapy.
Main Methods:
- A 48-week randomized trial comparing oral relugolix (120 mg daily after loading dose) to 3-monthly leuprolide injections.
- CRFS was defined as time to confirmed prostate-specific antigen progression or death.
- Analysis included metastatic and overall modified intention-to-treat (mITT) populations.
Main Results:
- At 48 weeks, CRFS rates in the metastatic population were 74.3% for relugolix and 75.3% for leuprolide (HR 1.03, p=0.84).
- Similar CRFS outcomes were observed in the overall mITT population.
- No new safety concerns were identified for relugolix.
Conclusions:
- Relugolix demonstrated non-inferior CRFS compared to leuprolide in men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer over 48 weeks.
- The efficacy of relugolix was comparable to leuprolide, regardless of CRFS progression events.
- Relugolix provides a comparable efficacy profile to standard-of-care leuprolide for advanced prostate cancer treatment.

