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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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Published on: March 6, 2018
Intermittent androgen suppression for prostate cancer
Nicholas C Buchan1, S Larry Goldenberg
1Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Center, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z1M9, Canada.
Intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) offers similar prostate cancer outcomes to continuous therapy but with fewer side effects and lower costs. Further research is ongoing to optimize patient selection and treatment protocols for this promising approach.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard prostate cancer treatment, but its optimal application remains debated.
- Intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) emerged as an alternative to continuous ADT to mitigate side effects and costs.
- Preclinical data suggested IAS might delay androgen independence, prompting clinical investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) compared to continuous androgen suppression in prostate cancer management.
- To assess the impact of IAS on adverse effects, quality of life, and treatment costs.
- To identify unresolved questions and future research directions for IAS in advanced prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical evidence and clinical phase II and III trials comparing IAS with continuous androgen suppression.
- Analysis of outcomes including time to castration resistance and cancer-specific survival.
- Assessment of patient-reported quality of life and cost-effectiveness.
Main Results:
- IAS demonstrates comparable efficacy to continuous androgen suppression regarding time to castration resistance and cancer-specific survival.
- IAS offers significant advantages in reducing adverse effects and improving quality of life.
- IAS presents a more cost-effective treatment option compared to continuous ADT.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent androgen suppression is a viable and promising treatment option for advanced prostate cancer, offering comparable efficacy with improved tolerability and cost-effectiveness.
- Key questions regarding patient selection, optimal treatment duration, and defining disease progression require further investigation through ongoing clinical trials.
- Men with advanced prostate cancer eligible for ADT should be informed about IAS as a potentially beneficial, albeit currently experimental, treatment choice.
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