XTANDI® Plus Leuprolide Reduced Risk of Death by 40% vs Leuprolide Alone in Men with a Type of Advanced Prostate Cancer
- The probability of survival at 8 years was an unprecedented 78.9% with XTANDI plus leuprolide versus 69.5% with leuprolide, in men with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence1
- XTANDI is the first and only androgen receptor inhibitor-based regimen to demonstrate overall survival benefit in this patient population, supporting its earlier use in this setting
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Final results from the Phase 3 EMBARK study are being presented in a late-breaking oral session at ESMO 2025 and simultaneouslypublished in
The New England Journal of Medicine
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“These results highlight the central role of enzalutamide in extending survival for men with conventional imaging negative HSPC with high-risk BCR,” said
The median follow up time was 94.2 months for XTANDI in combination with leuprolide, 94 months for leuprolide only, and 93.8 months in the monotherapy XTANDI group.1
The safety profile of XTANDI was consistent with that observed at the primary EMBARK analysis, and no new safety signals were identified. The most common adverse events (occurring in ≥10% of patients) in the XTANDI combination group were hot flashes and fatigue. The most common adverse events in the XTANDI monotherapy group were gynecomastia, hot flashes, and fatigue.1,2
"With up to 90 percent of men with high-risk BCR developing metastatic disease, early intervention with effective therapy is critical,”3 said
Among men who have undergone definitive prostate cancer treatment, including radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or both, an estimated 20-40% will experience BCR within 10 years.4 About nine out of 10 men with high-risk BCR will develop metastatic disease, and one in three will die as a result of their metastatic prostate cancer.3
“This marks the eighth publication of XTANDI data in
The EMBARK trial primary analysis was previously reported in
XTANDI is approved for one or more indications in more than 80 countries, including
Descriptive updates of multiple secondary and exploratory endpoints (time to new antineoplastic therapy, time to first symptomatic skeletal events, and time to progression on subsequent therapy) were consistent with the primary analyses announced based on the MFS data cutoff in 2023.1
About EMBARK2
This Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-national trial enrolled 1,068 patients with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC; also known as non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer or nmCSPC) with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR) at sites in
The primary results from the EMBARK trial were published in the
For more information on the EMBARK (NCT02319837) trial go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Non-Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer with High-Risk Biochemical Recurrence
Non-metastatic hormone- (or castration-) sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC or nmCSPC) means there is no detectable evidence of the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body (metastases) with conventional radiological methods (CT/MRI) and the cancer still responds to medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone levels.5,6 Of men who have undergone definitive prostate cancer treatment, including radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, or both, an estimated 20-40% will experience a biochemical recurrence (BCR) within 10 years.4 About nine out of 10 men with high-risk BCR will develop metastatic disease, and one in three will die as a result of the recurrence.3 The EMBARK trial focused on men with high-risk BCR. Per the EMBARK protocol, patients with nmHSPC with high-risk BCR are those initially treated by radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, or both, with a PSA doubling time ≤ 9 months. Patients with nmCSPC who experience BCR after local therapy may be at a higher risk of metastases and death if their PSA doubling time is ≤ 9 months.7
About XTANDI® (enzalutamide)
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor. XTANDI is a standard of care and has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC) with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR). XTANDI is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 80 countries, including in
About XTANDI (enzalutamide) and
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
- castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
- metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
- nonmetastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC) with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR)
Important Safety Information
Warnings and Precautions
Seizure occurred in 0.6% of patients receiving XTANDI in eight randomized clinical trials. In a study of patients with predisposing factors for seizure, 2.2% of XTANDI-treated patients experienced a seizure. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. Patients in the study had one or more of the following predisposing factors: use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold, history of traumatic brain or head injury, history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, and Alzheimer’s disease, meningioma, or leptomeningeal disease from prostate cancer, unexplained loss of consciousness within the last 12 months, history of seizure, presence of a space occupying lesion of the brain, history of arteriovenous malformation, or history of brain infection. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while taking XTANDI and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) There have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder that can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably MRI. Discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop PRES.
Hypersensitivity reactions, including edema of the face (0.5%), tongue (0.1%), or lip (0.1%) have been observed with XTANDI in eight randomized clinical trials. Pharyngeal edema has been reported in post-marketing cases. Advise patients who experience any symptoms of hypersensitivity to temporarily discontinue XTANDI and promptly seek medical care. Permanently discontinue XTANDI for serious hypersensitivity reactions.
Ischemic Heart Disease In the combined data of five randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred more commonly in patients on the XTANDI arm compared to patients on the placebo arm (3.5% vs 2%). Grade 3-4 ischemic events occurred in 1.8% of patients on XTANDI versus 1.1% on placebo. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients on XTANDI compared to 0.1% on placebo. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue XTANDI for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.
Falls and Fractures occurred in patients receiving XTANDI. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents. In the combined data of five randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies, falls occurred in 12% of patients treated with XTANDI compared to 6% of patients treated with placebo. Fractures occurred in 13% of patients treated with XTANDI and in 6% of patients treated with placebo.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity The safety and efficacy of XTANDI have not been established in females. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI.
Dysphagia or Choking Severe dysphagia or choking, including events that could be life-threatening requiring medical intervention or fatal, can occur due to XTANDI product size. Advise patients to take each capsule or tablet whole with a sufficient amount of water to ensure that all medication is successfully swallowed. Consider use of a smaller tablet size of XTANDI in patients who have difficulty swallowing. Discontinue XTANDI for patients who cannot swallow capsules or tablets.
Adverse Reactions (ARs)
In the data from the five randomized placebo-controlled trials, the most common ARs (≥ 10%) that occurred more frequently (≥ 2% over placebo) in XTANDI-treated patients were musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, hot flush, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, hypertension, hemorrhage, fall, fracture, and headache. In the bicalutamide-controlled study, the most common ARs (≥ 10%) reported in XTANDI-treated patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, hot flush, hypertension, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and weight loss.
In EMBARK, the placebo-controlled study of nonmetastatic CSPC (nmCSPC) with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR) patients, Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions during the total duration of treatment were reported in 46% of patients treated with XTANDI plus leuprolide, 50% of patients receiving XTANDI as a single agent, and 43% of patients receiving placebo plus leuprolide. Permanent treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions during the total duration of treatment as the primary reason was reported in 21% of patients treated with XTANDI plus leuprolide, 18% of patients receiving XTANDI as a single agent, and 10% of patients receiving placebo plus leuprolide.
Lab Abnormalities: Lab abnormalities that occurred in ≥ 5% of patients, and more frequently (> 2%) in the XTANDI arm compared to placebo in the pooled, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are hemoglobin decrease, neutrophil count decreased, white blood cell decreased, hyperglycemia, hypermagnesemia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, and hypercalcemia.
Hypertension: In the combined data from five randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, hypertension was reported in 14.2% of XTANDI patients and 7.4% of placebo patients. Hypertension led to study discontinuation in < 1% of patients in each arm.
Drug Interactions
Effect of Other Drugs on XTANDI Avoid coadministration with strong CYP2C8 inhibitors. If coadministration cannot be avoided, reduce the dosage of XTANDI. Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers. If coadministration cannot be avoided, increase the dosage of XTANDI.
Effect of XTANDI on Other Drugs Avoid coadministration with certain CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 substrates for which minimal decrease in concentration may lead to therapeutic failure of the substrate. If coadministration cannot be avoided, increase the dosage of these substrates in accordance with their Prescribing Information. In cases where active metabolites are formed, there may be increased exposure to the active metabolites.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.
About Astellas
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at www.astellas.com.
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References
1 Shore, D. et al. Overall survival with enzalutamide in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Presented at the 2025 ESMO Annual Meeting.
2 Freedland, Stephen J. et al. “Improved Outcomes with Enzalutamide in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.” N Engl J Med 2023;389:1453-1465. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303974
3 Antonarakis, Emmanuel S et al. The natural history of metastatic progression in men with prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy: long-term follow-up. BJU international vol. 109,1 (2012): 32-9. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10422
4 Ward JF, Moul JW. Rising prostate-specific antigen after primary prostate cancer therapy. Nat Clin Pract Urol. 2005 Apr;2(4):174-82. doi: 10.1038/ncpuro0145. PMID: 16474760.
5Cancer.net. Prostate Cancer: Types of Treatment (11-2023). https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/types-treatment. Accessed
6
7 Paller, Channing J et al. Management of patients with biochemical recurrence after local therapy for prostate cancer. Hematology/oncology clinics of
8 Astellas. Data on file. XTANDI patient.
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