Which medication is primarily used for prostate cancer treatment?

Leuprolide (Lupron) is primarily used for the treatment of prostate cancer because it functions as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. By acting on the pituitary gland, it inhibits the production of testosterone by the testes, which is essential for the growth of prostate cancer cells. Since prostate cancer is frequently driven by androgens such as testosterone, lowering testosterone levels can help reduce the growth and spread of the cancer.

This mechanism of action makes leuprolide particularly effective in managing hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, either as part of a combined androgen blockade strategy or as a standalone treatment in advanced cases. The use of leuprolide is well-supported in clinical guidelines for prostate cancer, highlighting its role in both the initial management and in the treatment of recurrence after other therapies.

In contrast, medications like anastrozole are used primarily in breast cancer treatment, while rituximab and cetuximab target different types of cancer and specific cellular pathways. These distinctions underline why leuprolide is the drug of choice when it comes to prostate cancer management.