title: What is the optimal duration of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients presenting with prostate-specific antigen levels > 20 ng/ml?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the optimal duration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), who present with PSA levels > 20 ng/mL.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 307 patients presenting with a PSA > 20 ng/ml were treated with EBRT and ADT. The cohort was divided into four groups according to the duration of ADT: Group 1 received < 6 months (n = 71), group 2 received 6-12 months (n = 80), group 3 received 12-24 months (n = 72), and group 4 received > 24 months (n = 84) of ADT. The endpoints analyzed were biochemical control (bNED), overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS). Statistical analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to patients who received < 6 months of ADT, patients treated with 12-24 months or > 24 months of ADT experienced significantly improved bNED (p = 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Cause-specific survival with ADT durations 12-24 and > 24 months were significantly higher compared to < 6 months (p < 0.007 and 0.024, respectively). Overall survival with ADT durations > 24 months was also significantly higher compared to < 6 months (p = 0.0025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present analysis supports the hypothesis that longer durations of ADT improves bNED, CSS and OS in patients presenting with a PSA > 20 ng/ml.
authors.affiliation: Vancouver Island Centre, BC Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berthelet
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pickles
authors.forename: Pauline T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Howard H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Winkle B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Jan T W
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome