Which of the following drugs is useful for treatment of advanced prostate cancer?
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the student's knowledge of pharmacological therapy for advanced prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy, and treatments often target androgen receptors or enzymes involved in androgen synthesis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Abiraterone acetate is a potent inhibitor of CYP17, an enzyme crucial for androgen production in the testes and adrenal glands. By blocking CYP17, abiraterone reduces the levels of androgens, such as testosterone, which fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells. This mechanism makes it an effective treatment for advanced prostate cancer, particularly in patients with metastatic disease.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of various cancers, including prostate cancer, but it is not specifically targeted at androgen production or androgen receptors.
**Option B:** Bicalutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen that blocks the action of androgens on prostate cancer cells but does not affect androgen production.
**Option C:** Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used primarily in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Abiraterone acetate is often used in combination with prednisone, a corticosteroid that helps minimize the risk of adrenal insufficiency caused by CYP17 inhibition.
**Correct Answer: C. Abiraterone acetate is a potent inhibitor of CYP17, making it useful for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.**