Trends in the use of androgen deprivation in prostate cancer

Novel physical activity interventions for older patients with prostate cancer on hormone therapy: A pilot randomized study

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can decrease the physical performance (PP) of older men with prostate cancer (PC).

METHODS

We conducted a three-arm randomized pilot study (n=19) comparing a home-based walking and resistance intervention (EXCAP) and a technology-mediated walking and resistance intervention using Wii-Fit to a usual-care arm in men ≥70 years with PC receiving ADT. The intervention lasted for 6 weeks, with follow-up at 12 weeks. The primary pre-specified outcome was change in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Mixed effects regression models were used to assess change in outcomes over time.

RESULTS

Mean participant age was 70 years (range: 67-93). Eight patients were randomized to the Wii-Fit arm, 6 to the EXCAP arm, and 5 to the usual-care arm. SPPB scores remained nearly constant in the usual-care arm (β=-0.12; p=0.79), while individuals in the EXCAP arm had on average a 1.2 point increase at each follow-up (β=1.20; 95% CI: 0.36, 2.06). The Wii-fit arm had a non-significant increase in SPPB score over time relative to usual-care (β=0.32; 95% CI -0.43, 1.06; p=0.46). Individuals in the EXCAP arm had an increase in steps per day over time compared to the usual-care arm (p-value=0.006); the EXCAP arm had an increase of 2720 steps (95% CI: 1313, 4128) while the usual-care arm had an increase of 97 steps (95% CI: -1140, 1333). Participants in the Wii-Fit arm had an increase of 1020 steps (95% CI: -474, 1238, p=0.710). Other outcomes (i.e., handgrip strength, lean muscle mass, and chest press repetitions) were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program, EXCAP, shows promise for improving PP in older men with PC on ADT.

Long-term side effects of androgen deprivation therapy in men with non-metastatic prostate cancer: A systematic literature review

Increasing numbers of men with non-metastatic disease are receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for a variety of indications, some of which are supported by evidence from randomized trials. Balanced against possible survival benefits and better disease control are data that ADT adversely affects quality of life, particularly in the areas of sexual function, physical function, and energy. There is some evidence of worsening upper extremity physical strength but no clear evidence of decline in daily function with ADT. The impact of ADT on cognitive function is not clear at this time. ADT is associated with declines in bone mineral density within 6-12 months of commencing treatment, with increased fracture rates within 5 years of treatment. ADT use is also associated with a 10-15g/L decline in hemoglobin, although the clinical significance of this drop appears to be limited for most patients. It is reasonable for physicians who are about to start men on ADT to obtain a baseline bone mineral density, to counsel them about the impact on sexual function and possible treatments for sexual dysfunction, and to encourage regular exercise. Further insight into adverse effects of ADT and strategies to minimize these adverse effects await data from ongoing studies.

Parenteral Estrogens for Prostate Cancer: Can a New Route of Administration Overcome Old Toxicities?

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of management of advanced-stage prostate cancer and recently has been shown to improve survival when administered in earlier stages of the disease. The oncologic benefits of ADT might be partially offset, however, by a reduction in quality of life because of adverse effects. In addition to the well-recognized adverse consequences of ADT, recent evidence suggests that ADT is associated with dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, adverse body compositional changes, and osteoporosis. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop less toxic forms of ADT. A novel approach to this problem is the use of estrogen to induce androgen suppression. Whereas oral estrogen therapy is known to be associated with thromboembolic complications, studies of parenteral estrogen in men with prostate cancer suggest that the use of parenteral estrogen achieves target androgen suppression, does not adversely affect prothrombotic protein levels, and is not associated with adverse metabolic, skeletal, and body compositional changes when compared with conventional ADT. Herein, we review the data for parenteral estrogen use in prostate cancer, the antineoplastic mechanisms of action of estrogen in prostate cancer, the potential advantages of parenteral estrogen compared with conventional ADT, and the remaining barriers in the use of parenteral estrogen in prostate cancer.