Other; hematology

Mouse studies suggest GnRH/LHRH receptor antagonists could help treat radiation poisoning and chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. In mice exposed to lethal whole-body radiation, the GnRH/LHRH receptor antagonist Firmagon degarelix increased counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils and other blood cell counts and increased survival, with greater potency in male mice than in female mice, compared with vehicle. In a mouse model of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced myeloablation, Firmagon increased survival. Next steps include further testing in female mouse models of radiation poisoning to determine how sex affects the efficacy of GnRH/LHRH receptor antagonism.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S and Astellas Pharma Inc. market Firmagon for hormone-dependent prostate cancer...