Vacuolation in prostate cancer cells following luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the 'oestrogen effect' of vacuolation in treated prostatic cancer cells is seen after luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue therapy.


METHODS
Eight patients with locally advanced prostate cancer were treated with the LHRH analogue, leuprorelin acetate. Biopsies taken pretreatment and after 3 months were assessed for the presence or absence of microscopic vacuolation.


RESULTS
Seven out of eight patients had evidence of vacuolation induced or accentuated by treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent research suggests that both stilboestrol and LHRH analogues have a direct cytotoxic effect on prostate cell lines in vitro, which appears to be supported by these findings. Vacuolation seems to be a normal consequence of treatment with LHRH analogues.
Muir
G H
GH
Urological Oncology Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
Shearer
R J
RJ
Dearnaley
D P
DP
Fisher
C
C
D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology*
D016729:Leuprolide