Introduction
Apalutamide (trade name: Erleada) has been approved in Germany since January 2019 for the treatment of non-metastatic prostate cancer if conventional hormone blockers are no longer effective. This medication is an option if there is a high risk of the cancer spreading (metastasis).
In early stages, prostate cancer usually needs the hormone testosterone in order to grow. Testosterone is produced in the testicles. Blocking the production of testosterone is one way to stop prostate cancer from progressing. Cancer that continues to grow despite the use of these hormone blockers is also referred to as "hormone-refractory" or "castration-resistant" prostate cancer.
The drug apalutamide aims to inhibit the growth of new cancer cells and kill the existing cancer cells.