Methods and compositions for treating cancer

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating cancer are described herein. More particularly, the methods for treating cancer comprise administering a 17α-hydroxylase / C17,20-lyase inhibitor, such as abiraterone acetate (i.e., 3β-acetoxy-17-(3-pyridyl)androsta-5,16-diene), in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid. Furthermore, disclosed are compositions comprising a 17α-hydroxylase / C17,20-lyase inhibitor, and at least one additional therapeutic agent, such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] Methods and compositions for treating cancer are described herein. More particularly, the methods for treating cancer comprise administering a 17α-hydroxylase / C17,20-lyase inhibitor, such as abiraterone acetate (i.e., 3β-acetoxy-17-(3-pyridyl)androsta-5,16-diene), in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid. Furthermore, disclosed are compositions comprising a 17α-hydroxylase / C17,20-lyase inhibitor, and at least one additional therapeutic agent such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid, e.g., a corticosteroid or, more specifically, a glucocorticoid. BACKGROUND [0002] The number of people diagnosed with cancer has significantly increased. Of special interest are individuals diagnosed with androgen-dependent disorders, such as prostate cancer, and estrogen-dependent disorders, such as breast cancer since such diagnoses are increasing in number at an alarming rate. [0003] Prostate cancer is curre...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] As used herein, and unless otherwise defined, the terms “treat,”“treating” and “treatment” include the eradication, removal, modification, management or control of a tumor or primary, regional, or metastatic cancer cells or tissue and the minimization or delay of the spread of cancer.

[0031] As used herein and unless otherwise defined the term “derivative” refers to a chemically modified compound wherein the chemical modification takes place at one or more functional groups of the compound. The derivative may retain or improve the pharmacological activity of the compound from which it is derived.

Problems solved by technology

Not only are these treatments highly invasive and have undesirable side effects, such localized treatments are not effective on prostate cancer after it has metastasized.

Moreover, a large percent of individuals who receive localized treatments will suffer from recurring cancer.

Similar to treating prostate cancer, most options for women diagnosed with breast cancer are highly invasive and have significant side-effects.

Even though hormone therapy is less invasive and can be used on more advanced stages of cancer, some individuals administered current hormone therapy treatments may not show a significant response or may not show any response at all to such treatments.

Additionally, some patients treated with current hormone therapy treatments may also suffer from relapsing or recurring cancer.

Currently, such refractory cancer patients are left with very few treatment options.

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