Systematic review of early vs deferred hormonal treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of hormonal treatment (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and/or antiandrogens) as an early or as a deferred intervention for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPC), as radiotherapy is currently the standard treatment for LAPC, with hormonal treatment considered a reserve option.


METHODS
We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with LAPC treated with standard care (radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and/or watchful waiting) or standard care plus hormonal treatment. Outcomes assessed were mortality and objective disease progression. The meta-analysis used a fixed-effects model.


RESULTS
Of the 108 trials identified, seven met the inclusion criteria and were of sufficient quality to be included in the analysis. Early intervention with hormonal treatment significantly reduced all-cause mortality compared with deferred treatment (relative risk, RR, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.82-0.91; P < 0.001). Similarly, early vs deferred use of hormonal treatment significantly reduced: prostate cancer- specific mortality (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.65-0.79); overall progression (RR 0.74; 0.69-0.78); local progression (RR 0.65; 0.57-0.73); and distant progression (RR 0.67; 0.61-0.74; all P < 0.001). Results were robust to changes in inclusion/exclusion criteria and use of a random-effects model for the meta-analyses. Heterogeneity and publication bias had no significant effect on the analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
Early intervention with hormonal treatment for patients with LAPC provides significantly lower mortality and objective disease progression than deferring their use until standard care has failed.
Boustead
Gregory
G
Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.
Edwards
Steven J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone