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Degarelix (LHRH antagonist)
Degarelix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that rapidly suppresses luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, leading to testosterone suppression.
Degarelix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that rapidly suppresses luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, leading to testosterone suppression. Used for Advanced prostate cancer, Hormone-responsive prostate cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Degarelix (LHRH antagonist) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Firmagon |
| Sponsor | Rabin Medical Center |
| Drug class | GnRH antagonist |
| Target | GnRH receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Unlike GnRH agonists that cause initial testosterone surge before suppression, degarelix directly blocks GnRH receptors on pituitary gonadotroph cells, achieving rapid and sustained testosterone reduction without a flare effect. This makes it particularly useful in prostate cancer where testosterone flare can exacerbate symptoms.
Approved indications
- Advanced prostate cancer
- Hormone-responsive prostate cancer
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Gynecomastia
- QT prolongation
Key clinical trials
- Supraphysiologic Testosterone Priming Induces Darolutamide Extended Response (PHASE2)
- Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer (PHASE3)
- Neo-DAB: Darolutamide and Abemaciclib in Prostate Cancer (PHASE1)
- Androgen Deprivation, With or Without pTVG-AR, and With or Without T-Cell Checkpoint Blockade, in Patients With Newly Diagnosed, High-Risk Prostate Cancer (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Difluoromethylornithine and High Dose Testosterone With Enzalutamide in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (PHASE2)
- Veterans Affairs Seamless Phase II/III Randomized Trial of STAndard Systemic theRapy With or Without PET-directed Local Therapy for Oligometastatic pRosTate Cancer (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Pembrolizumab With Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Patients With High Risk Localized Prostate Cancer (PHASE2)
- ODM-201 vs Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Hormone naïve Prostate Cancer (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Degarelix (LHRH antagonist) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Degarelix (LHRH antagonist) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Rabin Medical Center portfolio CI