Health Canada has approved a new six-month, 45 mg formulation of LUPRON DEPOT® (leuprolide acetate for extended-release injectable suspension) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. This new strength offers Canadian patients a longer-acting option, reducing the frequency of injections required for disease management.
LUPRON DEPOT is now available in 1-month (7.5 mg), 3-month (22.5 mg), 4-month (30 mg), and 6-month (45 mg) dosing intervals, providing increased flexibility for clinicians and improved convenience for patients.
Approved initially in Canada in 1989, LUPRON DEPOT has accumulated 36 years of clinical use in the management of advanced prostate cancer. The addition of the 45 mg strength is expected to help lower the burden of frequent administrations among patients living with this disease.
“This new option represents a significant advance in the management of advanced prostate cancer, as it can reduce the treatment burden for many patients,” said Dr. Andrew Loblaw, an oncology clinical studies group leader.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in Canada, representing one in five new cancer diagnoses. One in eight Canadian men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Most cases are treatable, particularly with early detection and new treatment advances. The continued development of new medications like the extended-release LUPRON DEPOT aims to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
LUPRON DEPOT is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog that suppresses the production of sex hormones such as testosterone, targeting hormone-sensitive growth of advanced prostate cancer. The medication is also approved for other hormone-related conditions, including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and central precocious puberty.
AbbVie, the manufacturer of LUPRON DEPOT, maintains a focus on advancing oncology care through research and development of targeted therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers.
The company’s oncology pipeline includes more than 35 investigational medicines across both solid tumors and blood cancers, supporting its commitment to developing new options for patients globally.
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