title: Randomized study evaluating testosterone recovery using short-versus long-acting luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  : We sought to compare the rate of return of testosterone levels and sexual function in men with prostate cancer receiving longer acting, 3-month preparation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (L-LHRH-A) versus shorter acting, 1-month preparation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (S-LHRH-A).
  
  
  METHODS
  : Men with low to intermediate risk localized prostate cancer were randomized to either L-LHRH-A (2-3 month duration LHRH-A) or S-LHRH-A (6-1 month duration LHRH-A) of androgen suppression therapy (AST) and prostate brachytherapy using iodine-125 radioisotopes. Serum total testosterone levels and PSA were recorded every 2 months for 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : A planned target sample size of 100 was not achieved due to insufficient accrual. A total of 55 patients were randomized and 46 were used for analysis. The median time to recovery of testosterone to baseline levels (calculated from end of AST) was 8 and 4 months in the L-LHRH-A and S-LHRH-A arms, respectively (p = 0.268). The median time to testosterone recovery to lower limit of reference range was 4 and 2 months respectively (p = 0.087).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : This randomized study, which failed to reach accrual target, showed a trend towards more rapid recovery of testosterone levels using shorter acting LHRH-A. Another randomized study would be required to validate these findings. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of shorter acting LHRH-A as a means of providing more rapid recovery of testosterone levels.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Victoria, BC; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC;
authors.forename: Howard Huaihan
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pickles
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keyes
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lesperance
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berthelet