The effect of 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy on muscle and fat mass in older men with localized prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate body composition changes, specifically skeletal muscle mass, in men receiving androgen deprivation with luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone-agonist (LHRH-A) for prostate cancer (PCa) in comparison with healthy controls.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of body composition changes in men with prostate cancer receiving LHRH-A therapy from 2 clinical trials compared to men without prostate cancer serving as a placebo-control in another clinical trial.


METHODS
Clinical Research Center in Connecticut.


METHODS
Thirty men (> 60 years) receiving 6 months of LHRH-A therapy for PCa were compared to a healthy group of 25 men without PCa.


METHODS
Appendicular skeletal muscle/height2 (ASM/ht2), lean and fat mass were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Total testosterone levels were assessed by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
At baseline, 12/30 (40%) of the treatment group and 7/25 (28%) of the control group (p = 0.11) met criteria for sarcopenia. There were no differences between control groups in ASM/ht2 or lean mass. The LHRH-A group had a higher percent body fat than the control group, 29.8 +/- 6.3 versus 26.3 +/- 4.6 (p = 0.02). ASM/ht2 and lean mass decreased in the LHRH-A group from 7.5 +/- 0.9 kg to 7.3 +/- 0.9 kg (-2.3% +/- 0.03; p < or = 0.001) and 53.5 +/- 5.4 kg to 52.3 +/- 5.3 kg (-2.1% +/- 0.03; p < or = 0.001), respectively. There was no muscle loss in the control group. At 6 months, the LHRH-A group had increased percent body fat from 29.8 +/- 6.4 to 32.2 +/- 5.8 (9.5% +/- 0.13; p < or = 0.001), whereas the control group had decreased in percent body fat from 26.6 +/- 4.6 to 25.3 +/- 5.0 (-3.8% +/- 0.08; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Men undergoing LHRH-A treatment for PCa decreased appendicular skeletal muscle and lean tissue and increased body fat within 6 months of initiation of therapy. Lifestyle changes or medical interventions to minimize the effects of androgen deprivation therapy for PCa deserve investigation.
Boxer
R S
RS
Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-5215, USA.
Kenny
A M
AM
Dowsett
R
R
Taxel
P
P
D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone