LH-RH analogue treatment for advanced prostate cancer

The trial drug was ICI 118.630 (Zoladex). Inclusion criteria were histologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer (T greater than 2 or N+ or M+), life expectancy greater than 3 months, and no previous radiotherapy, orchiectomy, or chemotherapy. Treatment started in November 1984; 30 patients were recruited. The period of treatment ranged from 6 to 144 weeks (median of 59.5 weeks). One patient died after 6 weeks of rapidly progressive renal failure. Data were updated to the end of August 1987. The mean age was 67.9 years (53-83 years). Subjective response was evaluated by a mean symptoms score (using daytime micturition, nocturia, dysuria, hesitancy, and flow) and a score of three different items: patients' activity, bone pain, and use of analgesics. Only 7.1% of the patients showed a permanent positive response. Four different objective responses (complete, partial, stable disease, and progression) were possible after evaluating the T category, tumor dimensions, metastases, and prostatic acid phosphatase. Testosterone (T) and plasmatic LH levels rose after administration: T dropped below the castration level (1 ng/ml) within a few days and remained constantly low. The rate of progressive disease was 27.6%; disease control was possible in 72.4% of the patients (PR or SD).