Anti-Androgen Therapy Suspension following Prolonged Clinical and Biochemical Response: Outcomes in a Series of Elderly Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Median age of patients was 78.5 years at the moment of therapy suspension. After a median follow-up of 93.9 months, fourteen patients (31.8%) showed progression of disease, but only 7 (15.9%) of these died. In 7 (15.9%) patients, serum testosterone levels did not exceed 0.5 ng/ml, indicating an absence of gonadal activity. The median time to progression was 138.2 months, and the median cumulative survival from the start and from the suspension of androgen-suppression therapy was 105.5 months and 64.1 months, respectively. The savings in drug costs amounted to 772,267 Euro. Taking into consideration these outcomes of survival and of savings in drug costs, we can conclude that in these selected elderly patients, this treatment option could be of interest.

The Role of Proteomics in Biomarker Development for Improved Patient Diagnosis and Clinical Decision Making in Prostate Cancer

“…The idea behind androgen ablation therapy is to reduce levels of testosterone to castrate levels (<15 ng/dL), thus depriving the prostate cells of their most important stimulant for growth, function and proliferation [ 44 ]. Until recently, indefinite administration of mono- or combined androgen ablation therapy was the standard approach for treatment of advanced or metastatic PCa [ 45 ]. In recent years, a wide variety of novel therapeutic options have become available for advanced PCa [ 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”

“…Until recently, indefinite administration of mono- or combined androgen ablation therapy was the standard approach for treatment of advanced or metastatic PCa [ 45 ]. In recent years, a wide variety of novel therapeutic options have become available for advanced PCa [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Various combinations of established chemotherapy such as Docetaxel and novel androgen axis targeted agents such as Enzalutamide and Abiraterone with androgen ablation therapy or, indeed, the combination of hormone therapy with radiotherapy (CHRT) have shown the most promise in terms of decreasing PCa-associated mortality [ 47 ].…”