Reduced risks for advanced prostate cancer patients who choose intermittent androgen deprivation therapy

This study examined if intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) reduced the risks associated with continuous androgen deprivation therapy (CADT) in advanced prostate cancer patients. It was concluded IADT reduced the risk of heart failure and fractures. 

Advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body. Patients with this type of cancer can be treated with androgen deprivation therapy. This therapy works by reducing the hormones (such as testosterone) that the cancer needs in order to grow. ADT has been associated with complications, including heart attack, diabetes, and bone fractures.

Androgen deprivation therapy can be given to patients on an intermittent or continuous basis. Intermittent treatment involves leaving time periods between treatments and continuous does not. It is unknown if IADT would reduce risks associated with treatment. 

This study examined the risks associated with continuous and intermittent androgen deprivation therapy in men with advanced prostate cancer.

9772 men were involved in the study. The men were aged 66 and older and had advanced prostate cancer. 35% of these men had received IADT. The rest had received CADT.

Overall, 22% of patients had serious cardiovascular events (events causing heart damage). Another 9% were diagnosed with diabetes and 9% had a fracture. These events occurred within 5 years of starting treatment.

Men treated with IADT were 36% less likely to have a serious cardiovascular event. This was due to the chance of heart failure being reduced by 38%. The risk of fracture was reduced by 48%.  

This study concluded that IADT led to a reduced risk of heart failure and fracture than CADT.

Talk to your physician about IADT.