[GnRH antagonists--a new therapy option for advanced prostate cancer]

Author(s): Wolff JM

Affiliation(s): Urologische Klinik am St.-Cornelius-Hospital, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Viersen GmbH, Heesstrasse 10, Viersen. Wolff@akh-viersen.de

Publication date & source: 2009-05, Aktuelle Urol., 40(3):159-63. Epub 2009 Apr 27.

Publication type: Comparative Study; English Abstract; Review

At present medical castration employing luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists is the standard of care for patients with advanced prostate cancer. LHRH agonists suppress the synthesis of testosterone to a castration level. In contrast to surgical castration, medical castration is reversible. However LHRH agonists induce an initial increase of the testosterone level. This so-called testosterone surge leads to tumour growth and increases the disease-specific complaints, known as flare phenomena. It may be possible that the overall survival of these patients is deteriorated. In contrast, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists do not induce a testosterone surge and the level of testosterone decreases as rapidly as that known from a surgical castration.