New hormonal therapy in prostatic carcinoma: combined treatment with an LHRH agonist and an antiandrogen

Abstract

In order to block the influence of androgens from all sources on the growth of prostatic cancer, we have used a new hormonal therapy based on medical castration achieved with the potent LHRH agonist [D-Ser(TBU)6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide (HOE-766) combined with the administration of a pure antiandrogen that neutralizes the action of adrenal androgens as well as those still secreted in low amounts by the testis during LHRH agonist treatment. This study was performed in ten patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma (9 at stage D2 and one at stage C). Bone pain, prostatism and general well-being were 60 to 90% improved within one month after starting treatment in all patients. After 2 months of treatment, minimal bone pain remained only in one patient who was originally bedridden. Bone scanning showed a 70 to 90% decrease in uptake after 3 to 5 months of treatment in the patients studied. Acid phosphatase levels were 60 to 90% reduced after 2 months of treatment in 3 out of the 4 patients who had elevated levels before therapy. Marked objective and subjective improvement was thus rapidly observed in 9 out of 10 patients treated with the combined therapy, while, in the other patient at stage C, subjective improvement could be documented. Although preliminary, this study indicates that a combined hormonal therapy which neutralizes all androgenic influences on peripheral tissues is of potential benefit in prostatic cancer. Moreover, the ease of application as well as the lack of secondary effects of the present approach should make possible its use early in the disease and should thus minimize the development of metastases and androgen-resistant cell clones. Randomized prospective studies on this potentially beneficial therapy are warranted.