Longevity & AgingProstate Cancer Drug Darolutamide Linked to Far Less Cognitive Decline Than Rival
A phase II clinical trial presented at the 2026 ASCO annual meeting found that men with advanced prostate cancer treated with darolutamide experienced significantly less cognitive decline than those treated with enzalutamide. Over 24 weeks, patients on enzalutamide showed a 36% drop in cognitive performance versus just 16% for darolutamide users. Researchers believe the difference stems from darolutamide's limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning it targets fewer androgen receptors in the brain. While no patients were diagnosed with dementia, real-world cognitive impacts like memory loss, falls, and impaired functioning were highlighted as serious concerns. Experts say this finding could meaningfully guide treatment decisions to help preserve cognitive health in this vulnerable population.
