Promising Study Reveals Lower Dose of Abiraterone Acetate as Effective Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Breakthrough Study Suggests Lower Dose of Abiraterone Acetate as Effective Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Singapore, May 20, 2025 — In a significant advancement for prostate cancer treatment, researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National University Hospital (NUH) have unveiled promising findings indicating that a reduced dose of abiraterone acetate (AA) may be just as effective as the standard regimen. This revelation could reshape the landscape of prostate cancer therapy, offering patients a safer and more cost-effective option.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies among men globally. Traditionally, the standard treatment involves a daily dose of 1000 mg of abiraterone acetate, a drug that targets hormone pathways fueling cancer progression. However, this high dosage often leads to undesirable side effects and significant treatment costs, posing challenges for many patients.

The groundbreaking study, spearheaded by Professor Eric Chan from NUS’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Associate Professor Edmund Chiong, Head of the Department of Urology at NUH, explored the efficacy of a 500 mg daily dose of AA taken on an empty stomach. The research involved nine men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, and the results were striking: the lower dose achieved comparable cancer suppression, evidenced by reduced prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels—a key marker of tumor activity.

Published in the journal Cancer Communications, the study demonstrated that all participants experienced a PSA reduction after 12 weeks, with over 75% achieving a drop of 50% or more. The treatment was generally well tolerated, and advanced pharmacokinetic modeling revealed that even at half the usual dose, over 80% of the drug’s target enzyme (CYP17A1) remained inhibited, indicating robust therapeutic activity.

“This new dosing approach may allow patients to experience fewer side effects, lower their treatment costs, and maintain effective cancer control,” said Prof. Chan. “It could also improve treatment access and adherence, particularly for elderly patients or those facing financial constraints.”

The research team is now embarking on a larger, long-term clinical trial to further validate these promising results. The findings not only build on previous research but also support the feasibility of a scientifically guided, lower-dose strategy.

Prof. Chan and Assoc. Prof. Chiong emphasized the potential impact of their findings, stating, “Our research opens the door to more cost-effective and safer treatment for prostate cancer patients, with minimal compromise on efficacy.”

As the medical community eagerly anticipates the outcomes of the upcoming trials, this study marks a pivotal moment in the quest for improved prostate cancer therapies, offering hope to countless patients and their families.

For more information, refer to the study: Edmund Chiong et al., “Evaluation of exposure-response-safety relationship of model-informed low-dose 500 mg abiraterone acetate in prostate cancer patients,” Cancer Communications, DOI: 10.1002/cac2.70035.