Histrelin is a man-made version of a hormone that is similar to the one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Histrelin stimulates these cells to release luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Thus it is considered a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or GnRH agonist.
In study 2, suppression of LH was induced in all treatment naïve subjects and maintained in all pretreated subjects one month after implantation and continued through month 12. It works in the brain to reduce the blood levels of sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. The histrelin implant is placed under the skin. In both trials the endpoints were achieved. The implant releases small amounts of histrelin in the body every day for 12 months.
Histrelin is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in adults. It will reduce the level of testosterone, a male hormone, in the blood. The sterile Vantas implantation device (provided with the implant) is used to insert the implant subcutaneously in the inner aspect of the upper arm. After 12 months, the implant must be removed.
Testosterone makes most prostate cancers grow. Histrelin is not a cure for prostate cancer, but it may help relieve the symptoms. After 12 months, the implant must be removed. At the time the implant is removed, another implant may be inserted to continue therapy.
Histrelin (Supprelin® LA) is used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) in children. CPP is a condition where puberty begins at an unusually early age. After a transient increase, continuous administration of histrelin results in downregulation of LH and FSH levels followed by a suppression of ovarian and testicular steroid biosynthesis.
