[LHRH analogues for the treatment of prostate cancer: an evidence level-based analysis]

In this review the current indications and the options for LHRH analogues are elucidated. For this purpose, a literature search in PubMed and the Cochrane-Database was performed. In addition, the EAU and AUA guidelines as well as actual meeting abstracts up to 2008 were taken into account. Since the first prospective study in 1991 showed the same effectivity for LHRH analogues and orchiectomy in metastasised prostate cancer patients, the use of LHRH analogues increased thereafter. Testosterone levels do not need to be checked regularly, but rather only when PSA rises again under treatment. After cessation of LHRH analogue treatment the time to testosterone level recovery is longer when the treatment time was longer. One must especially recognise the risks of diabetes and osteoporosis after more than 3 years of LHRH analogue treatment. In the case of neoadjuvant and adjuvant LHRH analogue treatment, several points have to be taken into consideration: LHRH analogues before radical prostatectomy lead to a lower positive margin rate and lower rate of lymph node metastasis, but tumour-specific survival is not improved. In contrast, neoadjuvant LHRH analogue treatment before radiation therapy leads to better tumour-specific and overall survival. An increased cardiovascular toxicity was not observed. Intermittent androgen ablation has been proved to be equivalent with a reduction of side effects. Hormonal salvage therapy should be initiated when the PSA doubling time is short or the PSA velocity is > 2 ng / mL / year. The benefit of early initiation (PSA < 10 ng / mL, PSA doubling time < 12 months) is that it can prolong the metastasis-free survival time.