title: The cardiovascular risk of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists in men with prostate cancer: an unresolved controversy.
abstract: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) play an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer, improving significantly overall survival. GnRH agonists belong to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) together with surgical castration and, recently, GnRH antagonists. ADT has several side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. Recently, changes in body composition, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension have emerged as complications of ADT, perhaps responsible for cardiovascular events, but discussion is still open. Since the majority of men with prostate cancer die of conditions other than their malignancy, recognition of these adverse effects is important. This review serves to focus attention on the pathogenetic mechanisms of ADT-related cardiovascular toxicity with also reference to the possible direct role of GnRH agonist on the cardiac receptors. Furthermore, this paper would generate recommendations for the management of patients treated with GnRH agonists balancing the potential benefits against the possible risks in prostate cancer men.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata, IRCCS, Rionero in Vulture, Italy. cinzia.conteduca@libero.it
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Conteduca
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Lorenzo
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tartarone
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aieta
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone