title: A vaccination strategy for the long-term suppression of androgens in advanced prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously reported the ability of D17DT (formerly GnRH-DT) vaccination to produce castrate levels of androgens in men with advanced prostate cancer. This study examines the efficacy and tolerability of 3 and 15 micrograms of D17DT in 12 patients with advanced prostate cancer to establish a dose-response relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 patients received either 3 or 15 micrograms of D17DT as 3 deep intramuscular injections over 6 weeks. Outcome was assessed in terms of physical and biochemical evaluations of clinical progression and antibody titres.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant titres of anti-GnRH antibodies were detected in 2 out of 6 subjects who received 15 micrograms of D17DT; suppression of testosterone to castrate levels accompanied by a significant and prolonged reduction in PSA was also demonstrated. No responses were seen following treatment with 3 micrograms of D17DT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The induction of anti-GnRH antibodies through vaccination with 15 micrograms D17DT can produce and sustain castrate levels of testosterone in men with advanced prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, NG5 1PB Nottingham, UK. lallyandrich@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Parkinson
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Simms
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Broome
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D009842:Oligopeptides; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen