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Latent hypothyreosis as a clinical biomarker for therapy response under abiraterone acetate therapy
Isabel Heidegger1, Udo Nagele, Andreas Pircher
1Associate Professor of Urology, Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. jasmin.bektic@uki.at.
Background:
Abiraterone acetate (AA) is a selective oral inhibitor of Steroid-17α-Hydroxylase, for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Not all patients respond to therapy, however, there are no biomarkers predicting response to AA therapy. The aim of the present study was the identification of a biomarker for patients who are likely to respond to AA therapy.
Patients And Methods:
We measured thyroid parameters in a collective of 30 patients before and during AA therapy. For statistical analyses, paired and unpaired t-tests were used.
Results:
During AA therapy, responders developed a significant increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) compared to non-responders (p=0.03). In the subgroup of responders, 16 out of 21 patients (76.1%) had a significant increase in TSH level (p=0.001), suggesting that TSH increase is predictive of therapy response. Non-responders showed no change in TSH level during AA therapy.
Conclusion:
Hypothyreosis may serve as a simple predictive biomarker for therapy response under AA therapy.
Insights
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increase can predict response to abiraterone acetate (AA) therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer. This finding suggests hypothyroidism may serve as a simple predictive biomarker for AA treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Abiraterone acetate (AA) is an oral inhibitor of Steroid-17α-Hydroxylase used for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Predictive biomarkers for AA therapy response are currently lacking.
- Identifying such biomarkers is crucial for optimizing patient treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a predictive biomarker for abiraterone acetate (AA) therapy response.
- To investigate the relationship between thyroid parameters and AA treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Thyroid parameters were measured in 30 patients before and during AA therapy.
- Paired and unpaired t-tests were employed for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Responders showed a significant increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) compared to non-responders (p=0.03).
- In responders, 76.1% exhibited a significant TSH increase (p=0.001), indicating predictive value.
- Non-responders did not display significant changes in TSH levels during AA therapy.
Conclusions:
- An increase in TSH may serve as a simple predictive biomarker for abiraterone acetate (AA) therapy response.
- Hypothyroidism could be a potential indicator of successful AA treatment in prostate cancer patients.

