Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about leuprolide acetate and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Lupron Depot-3 Month
		Lupron Depot-4 Month
		Lupron Depot-Ped
		Lupron Depot
		Lupron
		Viadur
FDA Approved:		Yes

Leuprolide acetate is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Leuprolide acetate is also approved to treat the following non-cancer conditions:

• Endometriosis.
• Anemia caused by uterine fibroids (before surgery to remove them).
• Central precocious puberty (a condition in which children begin puberty too early).

Leuprolide acetate is being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁴ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Radiation Plus Hormone Therapy for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Improves Survival (02/03/2009) ⁵ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Leuprolide Acetate ⁶ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Leuprolide Acetate ⁷ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.

A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.

A benign smooth-muscle tumor, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal tract. Also called leiomyoma.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood. The child develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes able to have children. Secondary sexual characteristics include growth of pubic, armpit, and leg hair; breast enlargement; and increased hip width in girls. In boys, they include growth of pubic, face, chest and armpit hair; voice changes; penis and testicle growth, and increased shoulder width.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called womb.