“Polyarthritis associated with myositis-like features following relugolix initiation in a patient with prostate cancer: a case report”

Relugolix is a recently approved oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (2021), indicated for the treatment of prostate cancer. While musculoskeletal adverse effects are frequently reported, data on severe manifestations remain rare. We describe the case of a patient who developed polyarthritis associated with myositis-like features accompanied by marked systemic inflammation and fever, following the initiation of relugolix treatment. Discontinuation of the drug combined with a short course of corticosteroids resulted in complete remission, with no relapse after six months of corticosteroid-free follow-up. This case suggests a potential association between relugolix and severe inflammatory musculoskeletal manifestations, including polyarthritis with myositis-like features. Although causality cannot be definitively established, the temporal relationship, improvement after relugolix withdrawal, and absence of recurrence with subsequent androgen deprivation support the possibility of a drug-specific effect. Clinicians should be aware of these potentially severe but poorly documented adverse events.

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Publication Details

Journal
BMC Rheumatology
Published
2026-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-026-00708-x
Primary Topic
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

“Polyarthritis associated with myositis-like features following relugolix initiation in a patient with prostate cancer: a case report”

Delcourt Caroline, Xavier Gilis, Bruno Krug, Amartinesei Irina
BMC Rheumatology
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
article

“Polyarthritis associated with myositis-like features following relugolix initiation in a patient with prostate cancer: a case report”

Delcourt Caroline, Xavier Gilis, Bruno Krug, Amartinesei Irina
article en

Abstract

Relugolix is a recently approved oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (2021), indicated for the treatment of prostate cancer. While musculoskeletal adverse effects are frequently reported, data on severe manifestations remain rare. We describe the case of a patient who developed polyarthritis associated with myositis-like features accompanied by marked systemic inflammation and fever, following the initiation of relugolix treatment. Discontinuation of the drug combined with a short course of corticosteroids resulted in complete remission, with no relapse after six months of corticosteroid-free follow-up. This case suggests a potential association between relugolix and severe inflammatory musculoskeletal manifestations, including polyarthritis with myositis-like features. Although causality cannot be definitively established, the temporal relationship, improvement after relugolix withdrawal, and absence of recurrence with subsequent androgen deprivation support the possibility of a drug-specific effect. Clinicians should be aware of these potentially severe but poorly documented adverse events.

BMC Rheumatology
CHU Dinant Godinne UCL Namur (BE)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
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