Risk of clinical fractures after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy for prostate cancer

Altered vertebral biomechanical properties in prostate cancer patients following androgen deprivation therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for localised and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is known to improve survival in patients but has been associated with negative long-term impacts on the skeleton, including decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Generally, dual-enery X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements of areal BMD (aBMD) of vertebrae are used clinically to assess bone health. However, a prediction of vertebral bone strength requires information that aBMD cannot provide, such as geometry and volumetric BMD (vBMD). This study aims to investigate the effect of ADT on the densitometric (aBMD, trabecular vBMD, integral vBMD) and mechanical integrity (failure load and failure strength) of vertebrae, using a combination of DXA, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and finite element (FE) modelling. For the FE analyses, 3D models were reconstructed from QCT images of 26 ADT treated patients, and their matched controls, collected as part of the ANTELOPE clinical trial. The ADT treated group experienced significantly decreased trabecular and integral vBMD (trabecular vBMD: -18 %, p < 0.001, integral vBMD: -11 %, p < 0.001) compared to control patients that showed no significant temporal changes (trabecular vBMD p = 0.037, integral vBMD p = 0.56). A similar trend was seen in the ADT treated group for the failure load and failure strength, where a decrease of 14 % was observed (p < 0.001). When comparing the proficiency in predicting the mechanical properties from densitometric properties, the integral vBMD performed best in the pooled data (r = 0.86-0.87, p < 0.001) closely followed by trabecular vBMD (r = 0.73-0.75, p < 0.001) with aBMD having a much weaker predictive ability (r = 0.19-0.21, p < 0.01). In conclusion, ADT significantly reduced both the densitometric properties and the mechanical strength of vertebrae. A stronger relationship between both trabecular vBMD and integral vBMD with the mechanical properties than the aBMD was observed, suggesting that such clinical measurements could improve predictions of fracture risk in prostate cancer patients treated with ADT.

Proceedings of the 2024 Santa Fe Bone Symposium: Update on the Management of Osteoporosis and Rare Bone Diseases

The 24th Annual Santa Fe Bone Symposium (SFBS) was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, on August 2-3, 2024. This was a "hybrid" meeting, with in-person and real-time remote participants representing a broad range of geographical locations and medical disciplines. The focus was on new developments in the care of patients with osteoporosis, other metabolic bone diseases, and inherited skeletal disorders. The most current medical evidence was presented and discussed with consideration of implications for patient management. Topics included an update on clinical uses of osteoanabolic agents, management of patients discontinuing denosumab, bone health optimization for orthopedic surgery, estrogen and testosterone in the management of osteoporosis, osteoporosis treatment in the very old, overview of rare bone diseases, treat-to-target for osteoporosis, and a progress report on global activities of Bone Health ECHO. There were two highly interactive faculty panel discussions - one with case presentations by attendees and another with open microphone for all topics of interest. Endocrinology fellows, selected from attendees of the Santa Fe Fellows Workshop on Metabolic Bone Diseases, held the two days preceding the SFBS, participated with presentations of oral abstracts. Ancillary events addressed modern approaches to menopause and bone health, case studies of management of patients at very high fracture risk, and management of patients with rare bone diseases, such as hypophosphatasia, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, X-linked hypophosphatemia, and hypoparathyroidism. These proceedings of the SFBS present the clinical highlights of the plenary sessions and the discussions that followed.

Testosterone Treatment and Fractures in Men with Hypogonadism

BACKGROUND

Testosterone treatment in men with hypogonadism improves bone density and quality, but trials with a sufficiently large sample and a sufficiently long duration to determine the effect of testosterone on the incidence of fractures are needed.

METHODS

In a subtrial of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that assessed the cardiovascular safety of testosterone treatment in middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism, we examined the risk of clinical fracture in a time-to-event analysis. Eligible men were 45 to 80 years of age with preexisting, or high risk of, cardiovascular disease; one or more symptoms of hypogonadism; and two morning testosterone concentrations of less than 300 ng per deciliter (10.4 nmol per liter), in fasting plasma samples obtained at least 48 hours apart. Participants were randomly assigned to apply a testosterone or placebo gel daily. At every visit, participants were asked if they had had a fracture since the previous visit. If they had, medical records were obtained and adjudicated.

RESULTS

The full-analysis population included 5204 participants (2601 in the testosterone group and 2603 in the placebo group). After a median follow-up of 3.19 years, a clinical fracture had occurred in 91 participants (3.50%) in the testosterone group and 64 participants (2.46%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.97). The fracture incidence also appeared to be higher in the testosterone group for all other fracture end points.

CONCLUSIONS

Among middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism, testosterone treatment did not result in a lower incidence of clinical fracture than placebo. The fracture incidence was numerically higher among men who received testosterone than among those who received placebo. (Funded by AbbVie and others; TRAVERSE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03518034.).

Validation of JSBMR's CTIBL manual for Japanese men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer causes cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL), increases the fracture risk 2-3 times, and worsens life prognoses. The Japan Society of Bone and Mineral Research (JSBMR) created a CTIBL treatment manual in 2020; however, no study has validated its use in patients with ADT/CTIBL prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study classified 124 patients with prostate cancer without bone metastasis who received ADT into high- and low-risk groups using the JSBMR CTIBL algorithm. Comparisons were made with the period to incident vertebral fracture and the existing International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) classification.

RESULTS

The median age was 74 years; the median observation period was 81 months. At 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years, the prevalence of incident vertebral fractures was, respectively, 3.3%, 10.7%, 17.9%, 21.4%, and 31.2% in the entire population; 13%, 27%, 36%, 42%, and 58% in the high-risk group (19%); and 1%, 7%, 14%, 17%, and 25% in the low-risk group (81%). The hazard ratio between the two groups was 3.57 (p = 0.0004). Based on multivariate analysis, age, previous vertebral fracture and femoral neck bone density were significant risk factors for incidental vertebral fracture. The JSBMR had a hazard ratio of 3.26 (p = 0.04) relative to 1.13 (p = 0.84) for the IOF, indicating the JSBMR classification performed better.

CONCLUSION

Taking preventive measures against fractures is necessary, including starting bone-modifying agents early in patients with a high fracture risk. The JSBMR CTIBL manual may be useful for this purpose.

Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus (QUS): A valuable tool in the identification of patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer requiring screening for osteoporosis

Non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) patients are at increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures mainly due to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)-associated hypogonadism, but this remains largely underdiagnosed and untreated. In this study, we examine the value of pre-screening calcaneal QUS in identifying patients who should be referred for screening for osteoporosis using dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DXA). In a single-center retrospective cross-sectional cohort study, we analysed data on DXA and calcaneal QUS measurements systematically collected between 2011 and 2013 in all non-metastatic PCa patients attending our Uro-Oncological Clinic at the Leiden University Medical Center. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of QUS T-scores of 0, -1.0, and - 1.8 in identifying DXA-diagnosed osteoporosis (T-scores ≤ - 2.5 and ≤ -2) at lumbar spine and/or femoral neck. Complete sets of data were available in 256 patients, median age 70.9 (53.6-89.5) years; 93.0 % had received local treatment, 84.4 % with additional ADT. Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was respectively 10.5 % and 53 %. Mean QUS T-score was -0.54 ± 1.58. Whereas PPV at any QUS T-score was <25 %, precluding the use of QUS as surrogate for DXA in screening for osteoporosis, QUS T-scores of -1.0 to 0.0 had a NPV of ≥94.5 % for DXA T-scores ≤ 2.5 and ≤ -2 at any site, confidently identifying patients least likely to have osteoporosis, thereby significantly reducing the number of patients requiring DXA screening for diagnosing osteoporosis by up to two-third. Osteoporosis screening is a significant unmet need in non-metastatic prostate cancer patients treated with ADT, and QUS may represent a valuable alternative pre-screening strategy to overcome logistics, time demands, and economic barriers encountered with current strategies for osteoporosis screening in these patients.

Summary

Osteoporosis and associated increased fracture risk are common in non-metastatic prostate carcinoma, mainly due to androgen deprivation therapy, but these often remain underdiagnosed and untreated. We demonstrate that QUS is a safe, less costly pre-screen tool that reduces by up to two-third the number of patients requiring referral for DXA for osteoporosis screening.

Mapping European Association of Urology Guideline Practice Across Europe: An Audit of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Use Before Prostate Cancer Surgery in 6598 Cases in 187 Hospitals Across 31 European Countries

BACKGROUND

Evidence-practice gaps exist in urology. We previously surveyed European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for strong recommendations underpinned by high-certainty evidence that impact patient experience for which practice variations were suspected. The recommendation "Do not offer neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) before surgery for patients with prostate cancer" was prioritised for further investigation. ADT before surgery is neither clinically effective nor cost effective and has serious side effects. The first step in improving implementation problems is to understand their extent. A clear picture of practice regarding ADT before surgery across Europe is not available.

OBJECTIVE

To assess current ADT use before prostate cancer surgery in Europe.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This was an observational cross-sectional study. We retrospectively audited recent ADT practices in a multicentre international setting. We used nonprobability purposive sampling, aiming for breadth in terms of low- versus high-volume, academic, versus community and public versus private centres.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Our primary outcome was adherence to the ADT recommendation. Descriptive statistics and a multilevel model were used to investigate differences between countries across different factors (volume, centre type, and funding type). Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with low, intermediate, and high risk, and for those with locally advanced prostate cancer. We also collected reasons for nonadherence.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

We included 6598 patients with prostate cancer from 187 hospitals in 31 countries from January 1, 2017 to May 1, 2020. Overall, nonadherence was 2%, (range 0-32%). Most of the variability was found in the high-risk subgroup, for which nonadherence was 4% (range 0-43%). Reasons for nonadherence included attempts to improve oncological outcomes or preoperative tumour parameters; attempts to control the cancer because of long waiting lists; and patient preference (changing one's mind from radiotherapy to surgery after neoadjuvant ADT had commenced or feeling that the side effects were intolerable). Although we purposively sampled for variety within countries (public/private, academic/community, high/low-volume), a selection bias toward centres with awareness of guidelines is possible, so adherence rates may be overestimated.

CONCLUSIONS

EAU guidelines recommend against ADT use before prostate cancer surgery, yet some guideline-discordant ADT use remains at the cost of patient experience and an additional payer and provider burden. Strategies towards discontinuation of inappropriate preoperative ADT use should be pursued.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is sometimes used in men with prostate cancer who will not benefit from it. ADT causes side effects such as weight gain and emotional changes and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Guidelines strongly recommend that men opting for surgery should not receive ADT, but it is unclear how well the guidance is followed. We asked urologists across Europe how patients in their institutions were treated over the past few years. Most do not use ADT before surgery, but this still happens in some places. More research is needed to help doctors to stop using ADT in patients who will not benefit from it.

Bone health in ageing men

Osteoporosis does not only affect postmenopausal women, but also ageing men. The burden of disease is projected to increase with higher life expectancy both in females and males. Importantly, osteoporotic men remain more often undiagnosed and untreated compared to women. Sex steroid deficiency is associated with bone loss and increased fracture risk, and circulating sex steroid levels have been shown to be associated both with bone mineral density and fracture risk in elderly men. However, in contrast to postmenopausal osteoporosis, the contribution of relatively small decrease of circulating sex steroid concentrations in the ageing male to the development of osteoporosis and related fractures, is probably only minor. In this review we provide several clinical and preclinical arguments in favor of a 'bone threshold' for occurrence of hypogonadal osteoporosis, corresponding to a grade of sex steroid deficiency that in general will not occur in many elderly men. Testosterone replacement therapy has been shown to increase bone mineral density in men, however data in osteoporotic ageing males are scarce, and evidence on fracture risk reduction is lacking. We conclude that testosterone replacement therapy should not be used as a sole bone-specific treatment in osteoporotic elderly men.

Management of Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Curative Treatment: A Focus on Older Patients

Following a treatment with curative intent, a biochemical recurrence may be diagnosed, often many years after the primary treatment. The consequences of this relapse on survival are very heterogeneous. The expected specific survival at relapse is above 50% at 10 years. Therefore, its management needs to be balanced with the individual life expectancy. The relapse needs to be categorized as either a low- or high-risk category. The latter has to be considered for salvage therapy, provided the individual life expectancy is long enough. It is evaluated through an initial geriatric assessment, starting with the G8 score as well as the mini-Cog. A comprehensive geriatric assessment might be needed based on the G8 score. Patients will then be categorized as either fit, vulnerable, or frail. If a local salvage therapy is considered, the relapse localization might be of interest in some situations. Available salvage therapies in senior adults have nothing special compared to salvage of younger men, except for aggressive local therapy, which might be less well tolerated. The key objective in managing a biochemical recurrence in senior adults is to find the right balance between under- and over-treatment in a shared decision process. In many frail and vulnerable men, a clinically oriented watchful waiting should be preferred, while fit men with an aggressive relapse and a significant life expectancy need an active therapy.

Roles of the RANKL-RANK Axis in Immunity-Implications for Pathogenesis and Treatment of Bone Metastasis

A substantial amount patients with cancer will develop bone metastases, with 70% of metastatic prostate and breast cancer patients harboring bone metastasis. Despite advancements in systemic therapies for advanced cancer, survival remains poor for those with bone metastases. The interaction between bone cells and the immune system contributes to a better understanding of the role that the immune system plays in the bone metastasis of cancer. The immune and bone systems share various molecules, including transcription factors, signaling molecules, and membrane receptors, which can stimulate the differentiation and activation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. The process of cancer metastasis to bone, which deregulates bone turnover and results in bone loss and skeletal-related events (SREs), is also controlled by primary cancer-related factors that modulate the intratumoral microenvironment as well as cellular immune process. The nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) are key regulators of osteoclast development, bone metabolism, lymph node development, and T-cell/dendritic cell communication. RANKL is an osteoclastogenic cytokine that links the bone and the immune system. In this review, we highlight the role of RANKL and RANK in the immune microenvironment and bone metastases and review data on the role of the regulatory mechanism of immunity in bone metastases, which could be verified through clinical efficacy of RANKL inhibitors for cancer patients with bone metastases. With the discovery of the specific role of RANK signaling in osteoclastogenesis, the humanized monoclonal antibody against RANKL, such as denosumab, was available to prevent bone loss, SREs, and bone metastases, providing a unique opportunity to target RANKL/RANK as a future strategy to prevent bone metastases.

Risk of Fracture During Androgen Deprivation Therapy Among Patients With Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) suppresses the production of androgen, and ADT is broadly used for intermediate or higher risk disease including advanced and metastatic cancer. ADT is associated with numerous adverse effects derived from the pharmacological properties. Previous meta-analysis on fracture risk among ADT users possessed limited data without further subgroup analysis. Risk estimation of updated real-world evidence on ADT-related fracture remains unknown. Objectives: To assess the risk of fracture and fracture requiring hospitalization associated with ADT among prostate cancer population on different disease conditions, treatment regimen, dosage level, fracture sites. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were systematically screened for eligible cohort studies published from inception to March 2020. Two authors independently reviewed all the included studies. The risks of any fracture and of fracture requiring hospitalization were assessed using a random-effects model, following by leave-one-out, stratified, and sensitivity analyses. The Grading of Recommendations Assessments, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to grade the certainty of evidence. Results: Sixteen eligible studies were included, and total population was 519,168 men. ADT use is associated with increasing fracture risk (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26-1.52) and fracture requiring hospitalization (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.29-1.88). Stratified analysis revealed that high-dose ADT results in an elevated risk of fracture with little statistical heterogeneity, whereas sensitivity analysis restricted to adjust for additional factors indicated increased fracture risks for patients with unknown stage prostate cancer or with no restriction on age with minimal heterogeneity. The GRADE level of evidence was moderate for any fracture and low for fracture requiring hospitalization. Conclusion: Cumulative evidence supports the association of elevated fracture risk with ADT among patients with prostate cancer, including those with different disease conditions, treatment regimens, dose levels, and fracture sites. Further prospective trials with intact information on potential risk factors on fracture under ADT use are warranted to identify the risky population.

2020 Korean guidelines for the management of metastatic prostate cancer

In 2017, Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO) published the Korean management guideline of metastatic prostate cancer. This paper is the 2nd edition of the Korean management guideline of metastatic prostate cancer. We updated recent many changes of management in metastatic prostate cancer in this 2nd edition guideline. The present guideline consists of the three categories: management of metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer; management of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer; and clinical consideration for treating patients with metastatic prostate cancer. In category 1 and 2, levels of evidence (LEs) have been mentioned according to the general principles of evidence-based medicine. And grades of recommendation (GR) was taken into account the quality of evidence, the balance between desirable and undesirable effects, the values and preferences, and the use of resources and GR were divided into strong recommendations (SR) and weak recommendations (WR). A total of 16 key questions are selected. And we proposed recommendations and described key evidence for each recommendation. The treatment landscape of metastatic prostate cancer is changing very rapid and many trials are ongoing. To verify the results of the future trials is necessary and should be applied to the treatment for metastatic prostate cancer patients in the clinical practice. Especially, many prostate cancer patients are old age, have multiple underlying medical comorbidities, clinicians should be aware of the significance of medical management as well as clinical efficacy of systemic treatment.

Canadian Urological Association guideline on androgen deprivation therapy: Adverse events and management strategies

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Orthopaedic Care of the Transgender Patient

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A transgender person is defined as one whose gender identity is incongruent with their biological sex assigned at birth. This highly marginalized population numbers over 1.4 million individuals in the U.S.; this prevalence skews more heavily toward younger generations and is expected to increase considerably in the future.

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Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has physiologic effects on numerous aspects of the patient's health that are pertinent to the orthopaedic surgeon, including bone health, fracture risk, and perioperative risks such as venous thromboembolism and infection.

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Language and accurate pronoun usage toward transgender patients can have a profound effect on a patient's experience and on both objective and subjective outcomes.

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Gaps in research concerning orthopaedic care of the transgender patient are substantial. Specific areas for further study include the effects of GAHT on fracture risk and healing, outcome disparities and care access across multiple subspecialties, and establishment of perioperative management guidelines.

Androgen deprivation therapy and side effects: are GnRH antagonists safer?

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists is the mainstay of advanced prostate cancer treatment. Both drug classes decrease levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), thereby lowering testosterone to castrate levels. This is associated with adverse events (AEs), including cardiovascular (CV) disorders, bone fractures, metabolic dysfunction, and impaired cognitive function. This literature review discusses these AEs, with a focus on CV and bone-related events. A hypothesis-generating meta-analysis of six clinical trials showed a potentially increased risk for CV disorders with GnRH agonists versus the GnRH antagonist degarelix. While no study has directly compared GnRH agonists versus antagonists with a primary CV outcome, one hypothesis for this observation is that GnRH agonists lead to initial surges in FSH that may negatively impact CV health, whereas antagonists do not. GnRH agonists are associated with metabolic and cognitive AEs and while data are lacking for GnRH antagonists, no differences in risk are predicted. Other common AEs with ADT include injection site reactions, which are much more common with degarelix than with GnRH agonists, which may reflect differing administration and injection techniques. Future studies are needed to further evaluate and compare the safety profiles of GnRH agonists and antagonists, especially in patients with pre-existing CV disease and other co-morbidities. Physicians should carefully evaluate benefits and risks when prescribing ADT and ensure that side effects are well managed.

Use of bisphosphonates and other bone supportive agents in the management of prostate cancer-A UK perspective

AIM

To explore the practice and views of uro-oncologists in the UK regarding their use of bone supportive agents in patients with prostate cancer.

METHODS

An expert-devised online questionnaire was completed by members of the British Uro-oncology Group (BUG).

RESULTS

Of 160 uro-oncologists invited, 81 completed the questionnaire. Approximately 70% of respondents never use a bone supportive agent in patients with metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, use was more frequent in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, from first-line treatment onwards. The majority of uro-oncologists do not use a bone supportive agent to prevent skeletal-related events in men with non-metastatic disease unless the individual patient is at an increased risk of osteoporosis. In men with more advanced disease, respondents would use an oral or intravenous (IV) bisphosphonate in 41% and 61% of patients, respectively. Zoledronic acid is the first-choice bone supportive treatment in 77% of cases, with the lack of clinical data cited as a barrier to use for other IV bisphosphonates. Local guidelines also have a significant influence on the use of bone supportive agents, especially with respect to denosumab. Bone mineral density measurement is conducted in approximately 40% of men with ADT exposure of 2 years or longer, or those with metastatic prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

Uro-oncologists in the UK generally do not use bone supportive agents for men with metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer or those with non-metastatic disease. However, increasing the duration of ADT and the presence of castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer increases use.

Bone Health in Men with Prostate Cancer: Review Article

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The improvement in prostate cancer survival over time, even in those with advanced disease, has led to an increasing recognition of the impact of prostate cancer and its treatment on bone health. Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) is a well-recognized entity but greater awareness of the risks associated with CTIBL and its treatment is required.

RECENT FINDINGS

The principal culprit in causing CTIBL is hormonal ablation induced by prostate cancer treatment, including several new agents which have been developed in recent years which significantly improve survival, but may cause CTIBL. This review discusses the impact of prostate cancer and its treatment on bone health, including published evidence on the underlying pathophysiology, assessment of bone health, and strategies for prevention and treatment. It is important to recognize the potential cumulative impact of systemic prostate cancer treatments on bone health.

Androgens and Androgen Receptor Actions on Bone Health and Disease: From Androgen Deficiency to Androgen Therapy

Androgens are not only essential for bone development but for the maintenance of bone mass. Therefore, conditions with androgen deficiency, such as male hypogonadism, androgen-insensitive syndromes, and prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy are strongly associated with bone loss and increased fracture risk. Here we summarize the skeletal effects of androgens—androgen receptors (AR) actions based on in vitro and in vivo studies from animals and humans, and discuss bone loss due to androgens/AR deficiency to clarify the molecular basis for the anabolic action of androgens and AR in bone homeostasis and unravel the functions of androgen/AR signaling in healthy and disease states. Moreover, we provide evidence for the skeletal benefits of androgen therapy and elucidate why androgens are more beneficial than male sexual hormones, highlighting their therapeutic potential as osteoanabolic steroids in improving bone fracture repair. Finally, the application of selective androgen receptor modulators may provide new approaches for the treatment of osteoporosis and fractures as well as building stronger bones in diseases dependent on androgens/AR status.

[The radiation oncologist, one of the actors in the patient's path after cancer. Follow up after prostate cancer]

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer of men over 50 years old. Localized prostatic cancer treatment may be responsible of a decline of patient's quality of life. The main actors of treatment are now focused on minimizing functional consequences of treatments. The radiation oncologist has a central role in patient monitoring. The follow-up is codified by official recommendations of learned societies to enhance the post-cancer period. The main objective of this article is to review the recommendations for clinical and biological follow-up. An inventory of the functional consequences of the various treatments will be detailed, and particularly those caused by androgen deprivation therapy, with a review of precautions before implementation, adverse effects and their management, as well as monitoring recommendations. The analysis of quality of life after curative treatment and suggestions to improve monitoring will also be discussed.

Patients with prostate cancer and androgen deprivation therapy have increased risk of fractures-a study from the fractures and fall injuries in the elderly cohort (FRAILCO)

Osteoporosis is a common complication of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). In this large Swedish cohort study consisting of a total of nearly 180,000 older men, we found that those with prostate cancer and ADT have a significantly increased risk of future osteoporotic fractures.

INTRODUCTION

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with prostate cancer is associated to increased risk of fractures. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ADT in patients with prostate cancer and the risk of incident fractures and non-skeletal fall injuries both compared to those without ADT and compared to patients without prostate cancer.

METHODS

We included 179,744 men (79.1 ± 7.9 years (mean ± SD)) from the Swedish registry to which national directories were linked in order to study associations regarding fractures, fall injuries, morbidity, mortality and medications. We identified 159,662 men without prostate cancer, 6954 with prostate cancer and current ADT and 13,128 men with prostate cancer without ADT. During a follow-up of approximately 270,300 patient-years, we identified 10,916 incident fractures including 4860 hip fractures.

RESULTS

In multivariable Cox regression analyses and compared to men without prostate cancer, those with prostate cancer and ADT had increased risk of any fracture (HR 95% CI 1.40 (1.28-1.53)), hip fracture (1.38 (1.20-1.58)) and MOF (1.44 (1.28-1.61)) but not of non-skeletal fall injury (1.01 (0.90-1.13)). Patients with prostate cancer without ADT did not have increased risk of any fracture (0.97 (0.90-1.05)), hip fracture (0.95 (0.84-1.07)), MOF (1.01 (0.92-1.12)) and had decreased risk of non-skeletal fall injury (0.84 (0.77-0.92)).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with prostate cancer and ADT is a fragile patient group with substantially increased risk of osteoporotic fractures both compared to patients without prostate cancer and compared to those with prostate cancer without ADT. We believe that this must be taken in consideration in all patients with prostate cancer already at the initiation of ADT.

Effect of tocotrienol from Bixa orellana (annatto) on bone microstructure, calcium content, and biomechanical strength in a model of male osteoporosis induced by buserelin

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy experience secondary hypogonadism, associated bone loss, and increased fracture risk. It has been shown that tocotrienol from Bixa orellana (annatto) prevents skeletal microstructural changes in rats experiencing primary hypogonadism. However, its potential in preventing bone loss due to androgen deprivation therapy has not been tested. This study aimed to evaluate the skeletal protective effects of annatto tocotrienol using a buserelin-induced osteoporotic rat model.

METHODS

Forty-six male Sprague Dawley rats aged 3 months were randomized into six groups. The baseline control (n=6) was sacrificed at the onset of the study. The normal control (n=8) received corn oil (the vehicle of tocotrienol) orally daily and normal saline (the vehicle of buserelin) subcutaneously daily. The buserelin control (n=8) received corn oil orally daily and subcutaneous buserelin injection (75 µg/kg) daily. The calcium control (n=8) was supplemented with 1% calcium in drinking water and daily subcutaneous buserelin injection (75 µg/kg). The remaining rats were given daily oral annatto tocotrienol at 60 mg/kg (n=8) or 100 mg/kg (n=8) plus daily subcutaneous buserelin injection (75 µg/kg) (n=8). At the end of the experiment, the rats were euthanized and their blood, tibia, and femur were harvested. Structural changes of the tibial trabecular and cortical bone were examined using X-ray micro-computed tomography. Femoral bone calcium content and biomechanical strength were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Annatto tocotrienol at 60 and 100 mg/kg significantly prevented the deterioration of trabecular bone and cortical thickness in buserelin-treated rats (P<0.05). Both doses of annatto tocotrienol also improved femoral biomechanical strength and bone calcium content in buserelin-treated rats (P<0.05). The effects of annatto tocotrienol were comparable to calcium supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Annatto tocotrienol supplementation is effective in preventing degeneration of the bone induced by buserelin. Therefore, it is a potential antiosteoporotic agent for men receiving androgen deprivation therapy.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic drug evaluation of enzalutamide for treating prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Enzalutamide is the first approved second-generation androgen receptor (AR) antagonist in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with or without docetaxel-based chemotherapy. Over the past 5 years, a number of attempts were made to determine the efficacy of enzalutamide in the different clinical settings. Areas covered: A literature search was performed at the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science database to collect the most relevant and impactful studies, including basic science investigations, clinical trials, and reviews. This article focuses on the pharmacology, efficacy, tolerability, and future perspective of enzalutamide. Expert opinion: The treatment paradigm of CRPC has been dramatically challenged of late. Enzalutamide are in wide use because of its favorable efficacy and safety, but primary or acquired resistance to the drug will eventually develop. Further studies are thus necessary to identify appropriate patients who can achieve apparent benefits from enzalutamide alone or in combination with other drugs.

External beam radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy in elderly patients with high metastatic risk prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

Several randomized controlled trials have documented significant overall survival benefit in high metastatic risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with combination of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) at radiotherapy (RT) relative to RT alone. Unfortunately, elderly patients are either not included or are underrepresented in these trials. In consequence, the survival benefit of combination of ADT at RT in the elderly warrants detailed reassessment, including its cost.

METHODS

Between 1991 and 2009 within the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database, we identified 3,692 patients aged 80 years or more with clinical T1-T2 PCa and WHO histological grade 3, or clinical T3-T4 PCa and any histological grade, treated with or without combination of ADT at RT. Competing risks analyses focused on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality, after accounting for confounders. All analyses were repeated in patients with no comorbidity and in most contemporary patients, treated between 2001 and 2009. Finally, we assessed median annual cost according to use of combination of ADT at RT, after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

In competing-risks multivariable analyses, no statistically significant difference was observed in CSM and other-cause mortality between patients treated with or without combination of ADT at RT. Same results were recorded in subgroup analyses of patients with no comorbidity and in most contemporary patients. The median annual costs of $36,140 and of $47,510 were recorded, respectively in patients treated without and with ADT at RT.

CONCLUSION

Our findings failed to confirm that combination of ADT at RT reduces CSM rates in high metastatic risk PCa patients aged 80 years or more. Moreover, combination of ADT at RT resulted in a significant cost increase, relative to RT alone.

Evaluation and management of skeletal disease in cancer care

Recently, there have been considerable advancements in cancer therapies thereby prolonging the life of cancer survivors. However, these recent advancements present new challenges in the management of bone disease in cancer survivors. Bone acts as a fertile soil for cancer seeding and bone health is often compromised because of increased inflammatory cytokines in cancer, direct cancer metastasis and toxic effects of anti-cancer therapies. This effect is more pronounced in elderly population who already have compromised bone mineral density leading to increased skeletal related events and bone pain. Timely diagnosis and effective interventions are essential for reducing bone-related morbidity in cancer survivors. Also, a complex interdependence exists between cancer related bone disease and tumor growth, creating a vicious circle of extensive bone destruction and cancer progression. Hence, maintenance of bone health and integrity plays a pivotal role in comprehensive cancer care. The bone-targeted treatments have been shown to preserve bone health, and modify the course of the underlying cancer. Management of long-term bone health requires a broad knowledge base that endocrinologists, oncologists and other care team members should be aware of. The manuscript highlights the skeletal effects of cancer, adjuvant therapies used for hormone-responsive cancers, chemotherapy induced bone loss and steps for accurate diagnosis and management of bone disease in cancer survivors by bridging the gaps in the comprehensive cancer care.

Male Hypogonadism and Osteoporosis: The Effects, Clinical Consequences, and Treatment of Testosterone Deficiency in Bone Health

It is well recognized that bone loss accelerates in hypogonadal states, with female menopause being the classic example of sex hormones affecting the regulation of bone metabolism. Underrepresented is our knowledge of the clinical and metabolic consequences of overt male hypogonadism, as well as the more subtle age-related decline in testosterone on bone quality. While menopause and estrogen deficiency are well-known risk factors for osteoporosis in women, the effects of age-related testosterone decline in men on bone health are less well known. Much of our knowledge comes from observational studies and retrospective analysis on small groups of men with variable causes of primary or secondary hypogonadism and mild to overt testosterone deficiencies. This review aims to present the current knowledge of the consequences of adult male hypogonadism on bone metabolism. The direct and indirect effects of testosterone on bone cells will be explored as well as the important differences in male osteoporosis and assessment as compared to that in females. The clinical consequence of both primary and secondary hypogonadism, as well as testosterone decline in older males, on bone density and fracture risk in men will be summarized. Finally, the therapeutic options and their efficacy in male osteoporosis and hypogonadism will be discussed.

EAU-ESTRO-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. Part II: Treatment of Relapsing, Metastatic, and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To present a summary of the 2016 version of the European Association of Urology (EAU) - European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) - International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) Guidelines on the treatment of relapsing, metastatic, and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The working panel performed a literature review of the new data (2013-2015). The guidelines were updated, and the levels of evidence and/or grades of recommendation were added based on a systematic review of the literature.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Relapse after local therapy is defined by a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >0.2ng/ml following radical prostatectomy (RP) and >2ng/ml above the nadir after radiation therapy (RT). ¹¹C-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography is of limited importance if PSA is <1.0ng/ml; bone scans and computed tomography can be omitted unless PSA is >10ng/ml. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy are important to assess biochemical failure following RT. Therapy for PSA relapse after RP includes salvage RT at PSA levels <0.5ng/ml and salvage RP, high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryosurgical ablation or salvage brachytherapy of the prostate in radiation failures. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the basis for treatment of men with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). However, docetaxel combined with ADT should be considered the standard of care for men with metastases at first presentation, provided they are fit enough to receive the drug. Follow-up of ADT should include analysis of PSA, testosterone levels, and screening for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Level 1 evidence for the treatment of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) includes, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AA/P), enzalutamide, radium 223 (Ra 223), docetaxel at 75 mg/m² every 3 wk and sipuleucel-T. Cabazitaxel, AA/P, enzalutamide, and radium are approved for second-line treatment of CRPC following docetaxel. Zoledronic acid and denosumab can be used in men with mCRPC and osseous metastases to prevent skeletal-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The knowledge in the field of advanced and metastatic PCa and CRPC is changing rapidly. The 2016 EAU-ESTRO-SIOG Guidelines on PCa summarise the most recent findings and advice for use in clinical practice. These PCa guidelines are the first endorsed by the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the International Society of Geriatric Oncology and reflect the multidisciplinary nature of PCa management. A full version is available from the EAU office or online (http://uroweb.org/guideline/prostate-cancer/).

PATIENT SUMMARY

In men with a rise in their PSA levels after prior local treatment for prostate cancer only, it is important to balance overtreatment against further progression of the disease since survival and quality of life may never be affected in many of these patients. For patients diagnosed with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, several new drugs have become available which may provide a clear survival benefit but the optimal choice will have to be made on an individual basis.

Bone health in adults treated with endocrine therapy for early breast or prostate cancer

Bone is a hormonally responsive organ. Sex hormones and calcium regulating hormones, including parathyroid hormone, 1-25 dihydroxy vitamin D, and calcitonin, have effects on bone resorption and bone deposition. These hormones affect both bone quality and bone quantity. The sex hormone estrogen inhibits bone resorption, and estrogen therapy has been developed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Androgens are an important source of estrogen through the action of the enzyme aromatase and may themselves stimulate bone formation. Hence, the sex steroids play a role in bone metabolism. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are frequently hormonally responsive and may be treated with antiestrogens or antiandrogens respectfully. In addition, chemotherapy and supportive medications may alter the patient's endocrine system. In general, the suppression of sex hormones has a predictable affect on bone health, as seen by loss of bone mineral density and increased risk of fragility fractures. The bone toxicity of cancer-directed endocrine therapy can be mitigated through screening, counseling on optimization of calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise, and other lifestyle/behavioral actions, as well as the use of medications when the fracture risk is high. Maintaining bone health in patients who are treated with endocrine therapy for breast and prostate cancer is the focus of this review.

Optimal delivery of male breast cancer follow-up care: improving outcomes

Male breast cancer is a rare disease. There are limited data to inform optimal treatment and follow-up strategies in this population. Currently, most follow-up guidelines are drawn from the vast literature on female breast cancer, despite the fact that male breast cancer has unique biological characteristics. In this review, we discuss clinical characteristics of male breast cancer as well as current best practices for long-term care with a focus on surveillance, screening, and treatment-related symptom management in male breast cancer survivors.

Risk of fracture in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: a population-based cohort study in New Zealand

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) administered as a prostate cancer treatment is known to exert multiple side effects including bone deterioration leading to bone fracture. The current analysis is to evaluate the burden of fracture risk in the New Zealand prostate cancer (PCa) population treated with ADT, and to understand the subsequent risk of mortality after a fracture.

METHODS

Using datasets created through linking records from the New Zealand Cancer Registry, National Minimal Dataset, Pharmaceutical Collection and Mortality Collection, we studied 25,544 men (aged ≥40 years) diagnosed with PCa between 2004 and 2012. ADT was categorised into the following groups: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, anti-androgens, combined androgen blockade (GnRH agonists plus anti-androgens), bilateral orchiectomy, and bilateral orchiectomy plus pharmacologic ADT (anti-androgens and/or GnRH agonists).

RESULTS

Among patients receiving ADT, 10.8 % had a fracture compared to 3.2 % of those not receiving ADT (p < 0.0001). After controlling for age and ethnicity, the use of ADT was associated with a significantly increased risk of any fracture (OR = 2.83; 95 % CI 2.52-3.17) and of hip fracture requiring hospitalisation (OR = 1.82; 95 % CI 1.44-2.30). Those who received combined androgen blockade (OR = 3.48; 95 % CI 3.07-3.96) and bilateral orchiectomy with pharmacologic ADT (OR = 4.32; 95 % CI 3.34-5.58) had the greatest risk of fracture. The fracture risk following different types of ADT was confounded by pathologic fractures and spinal cord compression (SCC). ADT recipients with fractures had a 1.83-fold (95 % CI 1.68-1.99) higher mortality risk than those without a fracture. However, after the exclusion of pathologic fractures and SCC, there was no increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

ADT was significantly associated with an increased risk of any fracture and hip fracture requiring hospitalisation. The excess risk was partly driven by pathologic fractures and SCC which are associated with decreased survival in ADT users. Identification of those at higher risk of fracture and close monitoring of bone health while on ADT is an important factor to consider. This may require monitoring of bone density and bone marker profiles.

Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL): pathogenesis and clinical implications

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are often long-term complications of anti-neoplastic treatments, defined as "cancer treatment-induced bone loss" (CTIBL). This pathological condition in oncologic patients results in a higher fracture risk than in the general population, and so has a significant negative impact on their quality of life. Hormone treatment is the main actor in this scenario, but not the only one. In fact, chemotherapies, radiotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors may contribute to deregulate bone remodeling via different mechanisms. Thus, the identification of cancer patients at risk for CTIBL is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate intervention, that includes both lifestyle modifications and pharmacological approaches to prevent bone metabolism failure during anti-tumor treatments.

Functional and metabolic complications of androgen deprivation therapy

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men worldwide. Several different treatment strategies are available including minimally invasive procedures for localized tumors such as radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and androgen deprivation therapy, among others. All these strategies can be given as mono-therapy or as combination therapy. For this review, we will focus on the side effects of androgen deprivation therapy, independent of the other treatment modalities. Some of the most common affections are loss of bone mineral density, weight gain and obesity, myocardial infarction and sudden death, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, loss of libido and erectile dysfunction, fatigue, cognitive decline, vasomotor flushing, to mention a few. All these alterations can have an impact on quality of life and even lead to more serious complications such as fractures and cardiovascular complications. We present recommendations for prevention, early recognition and treatment. The different modalities for androgen deprivation therapy have particular side-effects profiles and indications should be made in an individualized manner. Androgen deprivation therapy is a useful tool for some patients with prostate cancer but every effort should be made to avoid related complications. The use of guidelines and educational programs for both, patients and urologists, are extremely useful strategies.

Androgen deprivation therapy complications

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is increasingly used to treat advanced prostate cancer and is also utilised as adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatment for high-risk disease. The resulting suppression of endogenous testosterone production has deleterious effects on quality of life, including hot flushes, reduced mood and cognition and diminished sexual function. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that ADT has adverse bone and cardio-metabolic effects. The rate of bone loss is accelerated, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fracture. Fat mass is increased and lean mass reduced, and adverse effects on lipid levels and insulin resistance are observed, the latter increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. ADT also appears to increase the risk of incident cardiovascular events, although whether it increases cardiovascular mortality is not certain from the observational evidence published to date. Until high-quality evidence is available to guide management, it is reasonable to consider men undergoing ADT to be at a higher risk of psychosexual dysfunction, osteoporotic fracture, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, especially when treated for extended periods of time and therefore subjected to profound and prolonged hypoandrogenism. Health professionals caring for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer should be aware of the potential risks of ADT and ensure appropriate monitoring and clinical management.

Bone resorption facilitates osteoblastic bone metastatic colonization by cooperation of insulin-like growth factor and hypoxia

Bone metastasis is a multistep process that includes cancer cell dissemination, colonization, and metastatic growth. Furthermore, this process involves complex, reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and the bone microenvironment. Bone resorption is known to be involved in both osteolytic and osteoblastic bone metastasis. However, the precise roles of the bone resorption in the multistep process of osteoblastic bone metastasis remain unidentified. In this study, we show that bone resorption plays important roles in cancer cell colonization during the initial stage of osteoblastic bone metastasis. We applied bioluminescence/X-ray computed tomography multimodal imaging that allows us to spatiotemporally analyze metastasized cancer cells and bone status in osteoblastic bone metastasis models. We found that treatment with receptor activator of factor-κB ligand (RANKL) increased osteoblastic bone metastasis when given at the same time as intracardiac injection of cancer cells, but failed to increase metastasis when given 4 days after cancer cell injection, suggesting that RANKL-induced bone resorption facilitates growth of cancer cells colonized in the bone. We show that insulin-like growth factor-1 released from the bone during bone resorption and hypoxia-inducible factor activity in cancer cells cooperatively promoted survival and proliferation of cancer cells in bone marrow. These results suggest a mechanism that bone resorption and hypoxic stress in the bone microenvironment cooperatively play an important role in establishing osteoblastic metastasis.

Cancer: ADT and acute kidney injury-causal or casual relationship?

A recent observational study has reported that androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury. As a result of limited biological plausibility and critical measured and unmeasured confounders, the reported link is more likely to be casual than causal.

Androgen deprivation therapy impact on quality of life and cardiovascular health, monitoring therapeutic replacement

INTRODUCTION

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is commonly utilized in the management of both localized and advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The use of ADT is associated with several adverse events, physical changes, and development of medical comorbidities/mortality.

AIM

The current article reviews known adverse events associated with ADT as well as treatment options, where available. Current recommendations and guidelines are cited for ongoing monitoring of patients receiving ADT.

METHODS

A PubMed search of topics relating to ADT and adverse outcomes was performed, with select articles highlighted and reviewed based on level of evidence and overall contribution.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reported outcomes of studies detailing adverse effects of ADT were reviewed and discussed. Where available, randomized trials and meta-analyses were reported.

RESULTS

ADT may result in several adverse events including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, vasomotor symptoms, cognitive, psychological and quality of life impairments, weight gain, sarcopenia, increased adiposity, gynecomastia, reduced penile/testicular size, hair changes, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, increased fracture risk, diabetes and insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and anemia. The definitive impact of ADT on lipid profiles, cardiovascular morbidity/mortality, and all-cause mortality is currently unknown with available data. Treatment options to reduce ADT-related adverse events include changing to an intermittent treatment schedule, biophysical therapy, counseling, and pharmacotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with ADT are at increased risk of several adverse events and should be routinely monitored for the development of potentially significant morbidity/mortality. Where appropriate, physicians should reduce known risk factors and counsel patients as to known risks and benefits of therapy.

[Osteoporosis fracture in a male patient secondary to hypogonadism due to androgen deprivation treatment for prostate cancer]

A 84 year-old patient, in therapy with androgen deprivation during the last 5 years due a prostate cancer, is presented with a osteoporotic fracture of the first lumbar vertebra. The pivotal role of the primary care physician, in the prevention of the osteoporosis secondary to the hypogonadism in these patients, is highlighted.

A checklist for ascertaining study cohorts in oncology health services research using secondary data: report of the ISPOR oncology good outcomes research practices working group

OBJECTIVES

The ISPOR Oncology Special Interest Group formed a working group at the end of 2010 to develop standards for conducting oncology health services research using secondary data. The first mission of the group was to develop a checklist focused on issues specific to selection of a sample of oncology patients using a secondary data source.

METHODS

A systematic review of the published literature from 2006 to 2010 was conducted to characterize the use of secondary data sources in oncology and inform the leadership of the working group prior to the construction of the checklist. A draft checklist was subsequently presented to the ISPOR membership in 2011 with subsequent feedback from the larger Oncology Special Interest Group also incorporated into the final checklist.

RESULTS

The checklist includes six elements: identification of the cancer to be studied, selection of an appropriate data source, evaluation of the applicability of published algorithms, development of custom algorithms (if needed), validation of the custom algorithm, and reporting and discussions of the ascertainment criteria. The checklist was intended to be applicable to various types of secondary data sources, including cancer registries, claims databases, electronic medical records, and others.

CONCLUSIONS

This checklist makes two important contributions to oncology health services research. First, it can assist decision makers and reviewers in evaluating the quality of studies using secondary data. Second, it highlights methodological issues to be considered when researchers are constructing a study cohort from a secondary data source.

Zoledronic acid in genitourinary cancer

Bone metastases are a common complication of advanced prostate cancer and while they are less common in non-prostate genitourinary (GU) malignances, they have been reported in up to 35 % of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer. Furthermore, they may occur in more than two-thirds of those patients with bladder cancer who develop distant metastases. In the absence of bone-targeted therapies, approximately 50 % of all patients with metastatic bone disease from GU cancers experience at least one skeletal-related event within their lifetime. Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that has been shown to delay or prevent the development of skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases and reduce bone pain in these patients. Furthermore, zoledronic acid has also demonstrated the ability to prevent osteopenia, which may occur with the prolonged use of some pharmacological interventions in patients with cancer.

Fracture after androgen deprivation therapy among men with a high baseline risk of skeletal complications

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been associated with an increased risk of skeletal-associated complications, such as a decrease in bone mineral density and an increase in fracture risk. Many men with pre-existing health conditions receive ADT as their primary treatment because they are considered to be inappropriate candidates for attempted curative treatments. However, several chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid disease and chronic liver disease, are strong predictors for osteoporosis and fractures. We undertook the present study aiming to quantify the impact of treating men with ADT who carry known risk factors for skeletal complications. Among these high-risk men, more than 58% develop at least one fracture after ADT within the 12 years of follow-up. Men who sustained a fracture within 48 months experienced an almost 40% higher risk of mortality than those who did not. Our findings suggest that treating men with a high fracture risk at baseline with long-term ADT may have serious adverse consequences.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the impact of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with a high baseline risk of skeletal complications and evaluate the risk of mortality after a fracture.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 75994 men, aged ≥ 66 years, with localized prostate cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked data. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to evaluate the risk.

RESULTS

Men with a high baseline risk of skeletal complications have a higher probability of receiving ADT than those with a low risk (52.1% vs 38.2%, P < 0.001). During the 12-year follow-up, more than 58% of men with a high risk and 38% of men with a low risk developed at least one fracture after ADT. The dose effect of ADT is stronger among men who received ADT only compared to those who received ADT with other treatments. In the high-risk group, the fracture rate increased by 19.9 per 1000 person-years (from 52.9 to 73.0 person-years) for men who did not receive ADT compared to those who received 18 or more doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist among men who received ADT only, and by 14.2 per 1000 person-years (from 45.2 to 59.4 person-years) among men who received ADT and other treatments. Men experiencing a fracture had a 1.38-fold higher overall mortality risk than those who did not (95% CI, 1.34-1.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Men with a high baseline risk of skeletal complications developed more fractures after ADT. The mortality risk is 40% higher after experiencing a fracture. Consideration of patient risk before prescribing ADT for long-term use may reduce both fracture risk and fracture-associated mortality.

Androgen deprivation therapy toxicity and management for men receiving radiation therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy is commonly used in combination with radiotherapy as part of the definitive treatment for men with clinically localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation has been associated with a wide range of iatrogenic effects impacting a variety of body systems including metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and sexual. This review aims to provide the radiation oncology community with the knowledge to monitor and manage androgen deprivation therapy toxicity in an effort to provide the highest level of care for patients and to minimize the iatrogenic effects of androgen deprivation as much as possible.

Bone-targeted agents: preventing skeletal complications in prostate cancer

In men, prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer death. Skeletal complications occur at various points during the disease course, either due to bone metastases directly, or as an unintended consequence of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Bone metastases are associated with pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, and bone pain and can require narcotics or palliative radiation for pain relief. ADT results in bone loss and fragility fractures. This review describes the biology of bone metastases, skeletal morbidity, and recent advances in bone-targeted therapies to prevent skeletal complications of prostate cancer.