›Inclusion and exclusion criteria, as posted
Inclusion Criteria:
* Males \>/= 18 years of age, with histologically proven carcinoma of the prostate, who might benefit from medical androgen deprivation therapy
* Life expectancy of at least 1 year
* World Health Organization/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (WHO/ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2
* Adequate renal function at screening as defined by serum creatinine \</= 1.6 times the ULN (upper limit of normal) for the clinical laboratory
* Adequate and stable hepatic function as defined by bilirubin \</= 1.5 times the ULN and transaminases (i.e. SGOT, SGPT) \</= 2.5 times the ULN for the clinical laboratory at screening
* Ability to comprehend the full nature and purpose of the study, including possible risks and side effects; ability to co-operate with the Investigator and to comply with the requirements of the entire study
* Signed written informed consent prior to inclusion in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Evidence of brain metastases, in the opinion of the Investigator, taking into account medical history, clinical observations and symptoms
* Evidence of spinal cord compression, in the opinion of the Investigator, taking into account medical history, clinical observations and symptoms
* Evidence of severe urinary tract obstruction with threatening urinary retention, in the opinion of the Investigator, taking into account medical history, clinical observations and symptoms
* Excruciating, severe pain from extensive osseous deposits, in the opinion of the Investigator, taking into account medical history, clinical observations and symptoms
* Testosterone levels \< 1.5 ng/mL at screening, locally determined at the laboratory of each clinical site
* Previous cancer systemic therapy such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy (e.g. antibody therapies, tumor-vaccines), biological response modifiers (e.g. cytokines) within 3 months of baseline
* Previous hormonal therapy for treatment of prostate cancer, such as luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues (e.g. Lupron®, Zoladex®, etc.) \[no wash-out allowed\]
* Previous treatment with androgen receptor (AR) blockers, such as Casodex®, Fugerel®, Megace®, Androcur® (no wash-out allowed)
* Previous orchiectomy, adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy
* Previous prostatic surgery (e.g. radical prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate \[TUR-P\]) within 2 weeks of baseline
* Previous local therapy to the primary tumor with a curative attempt other than surgery (external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy) within 2 weeks of baseline
* Any investigational drug within 5 half-lives of its physiological action or 3 months (whichever is longer) before baseline
* Administration of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (Proscar®, Avodart®, Propecia®) within 3 months before baseline
* Over-the-counter (OTC) or alternative medical therapies which have an estrogenic or anti-androgenic effect (i.e., PC-SPES, saw palmetto, Glycyrrhiza®, Urinozinc®, dehydroepiandrosterone \[DHEA\]) within the 3 months before baseline
* Hematological parameters (RBC, total and differential WBC count, platelet count, hemoglobin, hematocrit) outside 20% of the upper or lower limits of normal (ULN, LLN) for the clinical laboratory at screening
* Co-existent malignancy, according to the Investigator's opinion
* Uncontrolled congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction or a coronary vascular procedure (e.g. balloon angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft) or significant symptomatic cardiovascular disease(s) within 6 months before baseline; resting uncontrolled hypertension: (\>/= 160/100 mmHg) or symptomatic hypotension within 3 months before baseline
* Venous thrombosis within 6 months of baseline
* Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
* History of drug and/or alcohol abuse within 6 months of baseline
* Serious concomitant illness(es) or disease(s) \[e.g., hematological, renal, hepatic, respiratory, endocrine, psychiatric\] that may interfere with, or put patients at additional risk for, their ability to receive the treatment outlined in the protocol
* Patients receiving anticoagulants who have prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times outside of the normal range for the laboratory assays; patients who are on anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications (e.g. dipyridamole, ticlopidine, warfarin derivatives) who are not receiving a stable dose for 3 months before baseline; patients who are receiving warfarin-derivative anticoagulants who do not have an International Normalized Ratio (INR) in the therapeutic range for the clinical indication for which the anticoagulant has been prescribed.
* Blood donations/losses within 2 months of baseline, apart from previous prostatic surgery patients (see earlier exclusion \[9\]; please note that these patients should not be included in the pharmacokinetic \[PK\] group)
* Known hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist, including any LHRH analogues, or any excipients of the study formulation
* History of the following prior to the study:
* immunization (within 4 weeks of baseline);
* flu shots (within 2 weeks of baseline);
* anaphylaxis;
* skin disease which would interfere with injection site evaluation;
* dermatographism will be documented at screening and followed up while on treatment.