Abiraterone: A Review of its Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic Profile and Clinical Efficacy

Prostate cancer is a common cancer and it causes significant morbidity and mortality in elderly males. Management for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer has improved tremendously over the last decade with newer agents improving overall survival and quality of life of patients. Until recently, docetaxel was the only agent to show an improvement in overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Of late, many new agents with different mode of action and therapeutic targets have improved overall survival and several new drugs (Cabazitaxel, Sipuleucel-T, abiraterone acetate, Enzalutamide and radium -233) were FDA approved for the treatment of patients with mCRPC. This article reviews current concepts and emerging treatment options in mCRPC followed by phase III studies of abiraterone and newer emerging role of abiraterone like the effect of low dose abiraterone acetate with food and the role of abiraterone as neoadjuvant therapy for localized high risk prostate cancer (LHRPC). The review will also discuss the role of abiraterone in skeletal related events as they are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.