[Intermittent androgen blockade in prostatic carcinoma]

Intermittent endocrine treatment or cyclic therapy of prostate cancer aims at prolonging survival by delaying progression to androgen independence and at improving quality of life by avoiding the side effects of continuous androgen ablation. Intermittent endocrine treatment is capable of inducing multiple apoptoic regressions and of improvement in quality of life including sexual functions. The recommended length of therapeutic period is 6-9 months. The mean off-therapy interval approaches 50% of the duration of the treatment cycle. The mean time to disease progression is 32 month. The definitive answer to the question of prolonged survival awaits the completion of ongoing randomized studies.