Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in prostate cancer. Elimination of flare reaction by pretreatment with cyproterone acetate and low-dose diethylstilbestrol.
BACKGROUND
In response to the first administration of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin increases sharply and gives rise to a transient surge in the concentration of serum testosterone. This effect reaches a peak 4 to 7 days after the start of therapy and results in the onset of clinical symptoms and signs of tumor flare in 5% to 10% of patients.


METHODS
To determine whether the effects of the LHRH-induced flare reaction are preventable, cyproterone acetate (100 mg) and low-dose diethylstilbestrol (0.1 mg) were administered daily for 4 weeks to inhibit the pituitary before the initiation of therapy with a depot LHRH agonist, goserelin acetate (3.6 mg every 4 weeks). Diethylstilbestrol was stopped after 8 weeks to eliminate associated minor toxicity while administration of cyproterone acetate was continued to suppress vasomotor symptoms. Twenty-four men with histologically confirmed prostate cancer were enrolled in the study: 6 with Stage C, 2 with Stage D1, and 16 with Stage D2 disease.


RESULTS
Lead-in therapy reduced the concentration of serum testosterone into the castrate range within 1 week, and no significant change was observed in the mean level after administration of goserelin acetate. Neither was there an effect on the initial rate of normalization of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA); normal PSA values were obtained in 50% of patients after 10 weeks and in 70% after 32 weeks. In the subgroup of patients with Stage D2 disease, longer median survival was predicted by a normal serum PSA, either stable or decreasing, after 32 weeks of treatment. The regimen was well tolerated with a low incidence of hot flushes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply that in the absence of LHRH-induced tumor flare, prognosis is related to the ability of therapy to maintain a PSA nadir in the normal range.
Bruchovsky
N
N
Department of Cancer Endocrinology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver Clinic, Canada.
Goldenberg
S L
SL
Akakura
K
K
Rennie
P S
PS
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017273:Goserelin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D017273:Goserelin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen