[Can serum testosterone level measurement extend the intervals of administration of a long-acting LHRH agonist ?]

Hinyokika Kiyo. 2010 Jun;56(6):301-4.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

In 1941 Huggins and Hodges demonstrated that castration slowed progression of prostate cancer. Treatment with a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist is a standard alternative to surgical castration for patients with prostate cancer and metastases. We evaluated patients with prostate cancer undergoing long-acting LH-RH agonist hormone therapy to determine the length of time that serum testosterone remains at castration level. Between June 2007 and October 2009, we studied 73 patients treated with LH-RH agonist. Castrate serum testosterone was defined at 50 ng/dl and less. The interval of administration of LH-RH agonist was extended to 5 months, and the testosterone level was measured. The testosterone level was 50 or less in almost all patients at 5 months after long-acting LH-RH therapy. The ratio of patients to whom dosing of LH-RH agonist was terminated who have a testosterone level of 50 ng/dl and lower was at 100% to month 7 and 7% to months 10 -19. We believe that therapy whereby long-acting LH-RH agonist is dosed may be extended to 5 to 7 months if male hormone values are monitored. Our data suggest that using serum testosterone to guide LH-RH hormone dosing is efficacious and cost-effective.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autacoids / administration & dosage
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists*
  • Goserelin / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Testosterone / blood*

Substances

  • Autacoids
  • Goserelin
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Testosterone