From the Research
No, bicalutamide (Casodex) cannot typically reduce Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels by 50 percent in just three days. Bicalutamide is an anti-androgen medication that works by blocking testosterone receptors in prostate cancer cells, which eventually leads to decreased PSA production. However, this process takes time. Most patients will begin to see PSA reductions within 2-4 weeks of starting bicalutamide therapy, with maximum effects often occurring after 3-6 months of treatment. The standard dosage for bicalutamide in prostate cancer treatment is 50 mg once daily, though 150 mg daily may be used for monotherapy in some cases. The medication works gradually because it needs time to block androgen receptors and reduce cancer cell activity. Additionally, the half-life of PSA in the bloodstream is approximately 2-3 days, meaning that even if production stopped completely, it would take several days for blood levels to significantly decrease. Patients should understand that PSA monitoring is typically done at intervals of weeks to months, not days, when evaluating response to hormonal therapies like bicalutamide 1. Some studies have shown that bicalutamide can be effective in reducing PSA levels, but the timeframe for this reduction is typically longer than three days 2, 3, 4. It's also important to note that the efficacy of bicalutamide can vary depending on the individual patient and the specific characteristics of their prostate cancer. In general, bicalutamide is a effective treatment for prostate cancer, but it is not a rapid-acting medication. Patients should work closely with their healthcare provider to monitor their PSA levels and adjust their treatment plan as needed. The goal of treatment is to improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, and bicalutamide can be an important part of this treatment plan 5. Overall, while bicalutamide can be an effective treatment for prostate cancer, it is not likely to reduce PSA levels by 50 percent in just three days.