Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
GOSE
Adjuvant
Palliative
Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR). Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.
- for cytoreduction before brachytherapy
- in combination with radiotherapy for the treatment of high-risk localized prostate cancer
- for palliative treatment of recurrent, progressive or metastatic prostate cancer
goserelin
ODB - General Benefit (goserelin)
| goserelin | |||
3.6 mg SC depot EVERY 4 WEEKS | |||
Goserelin: Every 4 or 13 weeks depending on formulation
- Neoadjuvant - Generally up to 6 months in duration
- Adjuvant - Generally up to 3 years
- Palliative - for non-metastatic disease (for example: rising PSA after radiation), use an intermittent schedule. Otherwise use continuously.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. The following recommendations have been adapted from clinical trials or product monographs and could be considered.
See appendix 6 for general recommendations.
Dosage with toxicity
Dosage with myelosuppression: No adjustment required.
Hepatic Impairment
No adjustment required.
Renal Impairment
No adjustment required.
Dosage in the elderly:
No adjustment required.
Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects
Most Common Side Effects | Less Common Side Effects, but may be |
|
|
Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details
- Caution with concomitant QT-prolonging drugs, as androgen deprivation can have an additive QT-prolonging effect.
Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details
Administration:
- Subcutaneous injection of the depot into the anterior abdominal wall, below the naval line. Injection usually given at the Cancer Centre or physician's office. Should be administered by a healthcare professional experienced in administering deep subcutaneous injections under the supervision of a physician. Drug supplied by outpatient prescription.
- Store in original packaging between 2ºC and 25ºC. Protect from light and moisture.
Contraindications:
- Patients who have a hypersensitivity to this drug or any of its components.
- Females with undiagnosed abdominal vaginal bleeding.
Other Warnings/Precautions:
- Use with caution in patients with osteoporosis (or risk factors for osteoporosis), diabetes, risk factors for QT prolongation, history of depression, cardiovascular disease, metastatic vertebral lesions and/or urinary tract obstruction due to the risk of disease flare.
- Patients who experience anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid shock while on goserelin may require removal of the implant. If implant removal is necessary, it may be located by ultrasound.
- Goserelin requires administration by deep subcutaneous injection and is not recommended in patients with low body mass index (BMI <18.5) or in patients who are fully anticoagulated (INR >2).
Other Drug Properties:
- Carcinogenicity: No
Pregnancy and Lactation:
- Genotoxicity: No
- Embryotoxicity: Yes
- Fetotoxicity: Yes
Not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate non-hormonal contraception must be used by most sexes during treatment and for at least 6 months after goserelin cessation (general recommendation). - Breastfeeding: Not recommended
Goserelin is secreted into milk in animals. - Fertility effects: Fertility may be affected in males and females, but may be reversible.
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
- Blood glucose; especially in diabetic patients or patients at risk of hyperglycemia; basaeline and periodic
- Electrolytes, including calcium and magnesium; baseline, also regularly in patients at risk
- Clinical assessment of disease flare, osteoporosis, symptoms of hypogonadism, injection site reactions, cardiovascular effects, signs of abdominal hemorrhage; at each visit
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Suggested Clinical Monitoring
- Monitor bone and prostatic lesions; periodic
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Bolla M, Gonzalez D, Warde P, et al. Improved survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy and goserelin. N Engl J Med 1997;337(5):295-300.
Crook JM, O'Callaghan CJ, Duncan G, et al. Intermittent androgen suppression for rising PSA levels after radiotherapy. N Engl J Med 2012;367:895-903.
Denham JW, Steigler A, Lamb DS, et al. Short-term neoadjuvant androgen deprivation and radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer: 10-year data from the TROG 96.01 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 2011;12(5):451-9.
Goserelin drug monograph, Cancer Care Ontario.
Heidenreich A, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, et al. EAU Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. Part 1: Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Clinically Localised Disease. European Urology 2011;59:61-71.
Kaisary AV, Tyrrell CJ, Peeling WB, et al. Comparison of LHRH analogue (Zoladex) with orchiectomy in patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma. Br J Urol 1991;67(5):502-8.
Mottet N, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, et al. EAU guidelines on prostate cancer. Part II: Treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration resistant prostate cancer. European Urology 2011:59;572-83.
Sarosdy MF, Schellhammer PF, Soloway MS, et al. Endocrine effects, efficacy and tolerablity of a 10.8-mg depot formulation of goserelin acetate administered every 13 weeks to patients with advanced prostate cancer. Br J Urol Int 1999;83(7):801-6.
Turkes AO, Peeling WB, Griffiths K. Treatment of patients with advanced cancer of the prostate: phase III trial, Zoladex against castration; a study of the British Prostate Group. J Steroid Biochem 1987;27(1-3):543-9.
October 2017 replaced regimen category, updated adverse effects, added interactions, administration, precautions
Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph. Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.