Degarelix is a Reversible GnRHR/LHRHR Antagonist for Prostate Cancer Research

By Louis Gilman May 31, 2023 #Degarelix, #GnRHR/LHRHR, #prostate cancer

GnRHR (gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor) is also known as the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor (LHRHR). Importantly, GnRHR associates with G-proteins that activate a phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)-calcium second messenger system. Particularly, Activation of the GnRHR ultimately causes the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). However, GnRH antagonists produce a rapid and effective suppression of gonadotropin release and therefore gonadal steroid secretion in human males.

In this article, we will introduce a competitive and reversible GnRHR/LHRHR antagonist, Degarelix.

Degarelix (1 nM-10 μM, 0-72 h) reduces cell viability in all prostate cell lines (WPE1-NA22, WPMY-1, BPH-1, VCaP cells), except the PC-3 cells. Besides, Degarelix (10 μM, 0-72 h) exerts a direct effect on prostate cell growth through apoptosis. Specifically, Degarelix induces a significant increase in caspase 3/7 activation.

Degarelix (0-10 μg/kg; s.c.; once) produces a dose-dependent and reversible decrease in plasma LH levels with a minimal effective dose of 3 μg/kg. For the 50 μg/kg and 200 μg/kg doses, t_1/2 of absorption values were 4 min and 30 min, T_max values were 1 h and 5 h, and apparent plasma disappearance t_1/2 values were 12 h and 67 h, respectively. Meanwhile, Degarelix Produces a dose-dependent decrease in plasma testosterone levels with a minimal effective dose of 1 μg/kg. Moreover, Degarelix is stable when incubated in microsomes and cryopreserved hepatocytes from animal liver tissue. In rats and dogs, most of the degarelix dose is eliminated within 48 h via urine and feces in equal amounts (40–50% in each matrix). In contrast, in monkeys, the primary route of excretion is fecal (50%) and renal (22%).

All in all, Degarelix is a competitive and reversible gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR/LHRHR) antagonist and can be used for prostate cancer research.

Reference：

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