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Intermittent endocrine treatment
P J Van Cangh1, B Tombal, J L Gala
1Department of Urology, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Brussels, Belgium. vancangh@chex.ucl.ac.be
World Journal of Urology
|August 5, 2000
Summary
Intermittent endocrine therapy for prostate cancer delays progression and improves quality of life by reducing side effects. This cyclic approach shows promise, with further survival data pending randomized trials.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Urology
Background:
- Prostate cancer treatment often involves continuous androgen ablation, leading to side effects.
- Intermittent endocrine therapy (IET) aims to mitigate these side effects while managing cancer progression.
Observation:
- Experimental data and Phase II studies suggest IET is feasible.
- Patients experience apoptotic regressions and improved quality of life, including sexual function.
Findings:
- Recommended therapy cycles are 6-9 months, with off-therapy intervals around 50% of treatment duration.
- The mean time to disease progression observed was 32 months.
Implications:
- IET offers a viable strategy for improving quality of life in prostate cancer patients.
- Ongoing randomized studies are crucial to confirm the impact of IET on prolonged survival.