FDA approves new prostate cancer drug Yonsa to slow tumor growth.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug called Yonsa (abiraterone acetate) for men with a certain type of advanced prostate cancer. This cancer is called metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, or CRPC. It means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and is no longer controlled by standard hormone therapy. Yonsa works by blocking a key enzyme that helps the body make androgens, which are male hormones that can fuel prostate cancer growth. It is taken as four 125 mg tablets once a day, along with a steroid called methylprednisolone. This combination helps the drug work better and reduces side effects. The approval was based on two large studies that showed men taking Yonsa lived longer than those taking a placebo. However, this drug is not a cure. It is important for patients to talk to their doctor about whether Yonsa is right for them. Patients should also continue their regular cancer care and discuss any side effects with their healthcare team.