Does androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer protect from COVID-19?

Epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy at a Brazilian Cancer Center

“…When examining a cohort of men with PC undergoing ADT, it was observed that they were less likely to report COVID-19 compared to those not undergoing ADT (4/5273 cases versus 114/37 161, OR = 4.05, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.55-10.59, p = 0.00043). ( 8 , 9 ) Furthermore, tests for COVID-19 may have been less available at the beginning of the pandemic in Italy compared to the period when the study was conducted at our institution. The idea that ADT serves as a form of treatment or prevention for COVID-19 infection in people with PC, proposed by Montopoli et al ( 4 ) seems unlikely, as there are not enough data to prove the theory.…”

“…The idea that ADT serves as a form of treatment or prevention for COVID-19 infection in people with PC, proposed by Montopoli et al ( 4 ) seems unlikely, as there are not enough data to prove the theory. ( 8 , 9 )…”

“…( 10 ) As a result, there is less incentive for the use of ADT, as it is a high-cost drug that is associated with several side effects (metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, osteopenia and sexual and psychological dysfunctions), and its use outside the context of prostate cancer is not justified. ( 8 , 9 )…”

“…(4,7) Studies carried out during this period suggested that ADT performed on men with PC served as a protective or therapeutic factor, as they had a decrease in viral transmission, lower risk of infection, and lower mortality rates caused by COVID-19. (8) This effect was attributed to a decrease in TMPRSS2 transcription and testosterone levels. (7) To test this hypothesis, several studies have evaluated the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with PC who were undergoing ADT compared to those who were not undergoing this type of treatment.…”

“…(7) To test this hypothesis, several studies have evaluated the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with PC who were undergoing ADT compared to those who were not undergoing this type of treatment. (7)(8)(9) Although we expected that the use of ADT could reduce infection, hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality risk in patients with a positive history of COVID-19 infection, (7,9) such a relationship could not be established. (7)(8)(9) One possible explanation is that patients with PC who receive this type of treatment usually suffer from more comorbidities, advanced disease, and a higher risk of overall mortality.…”