[Corticotherapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer]

Corticosteroids are commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer resistant to castration (PCRC), partly due to the inhibitory effects on adrenal androgen production acting as a pituitary suppressant.

A literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE database using the following key words: prostate cancer; castration resistance; metastasis; corticotherapy.

Corticosteroids exert direct anti-tumoral activities mediated by the glucocorticoids receptor and involving cellular/tissue functions as growth, apoptosis, inflammation, metastasis, differentiation and angiogenesis. As a pain relieving agents, corticosteroids significantly relieve PCRC clinical symptoms, especially those due to bone metastasis. In the comparative arm of phase II-III trials, corticosteroids administered daily produce a PSA decline. Among the adverse effects due to corticosteroids, bone loss and cardiovascular risk should be carefully monitored. In association with abiraterone acetate, corticosteroids increase overall survival in PCRC patients, and reduce the mineralocorticoid side effects of abiraterone.

Corticosteroids in monotherapy for PCRC have a limited efficacy. In association with abiraterone acetate it reduces the mineralocorticoid toxicity and enhances the androgenic suppression.