The number of cancer survivors is increasing, soon to be as many of 13 million of us in the world! Bones are often affected in cancer survivors, usually a result of bone metastases, or of anti-cancer therapies which can contribute to bone loss and fragility. Bone disease in cancer survivors can result both from the [...]
Researchers at the Harvard Medical School investigated the effect of androgen deprivation in a preclinical mouse model of stable high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia induced by the loss of the PTEN tumor suppressor. They found that androgen deprivation treatment of these mice accelerated the progression to invasive disease. Shidong Jia, M.D., Ph.D. And associates found [...]
I stumbled upon an abstract published at the end of February 2010 that raised a number of questions about hormone therapy (ADT) and its effect on the immune system. Coming out of the starting gate I assumed that ADT would adversely affect the immune system making us prone to falling victim to all sort of [...]
According to an article published in URO Today the belief that adjuvant androgen suppression therapy (AST) is associated with early deaths due to myocardial infarctions (MCIs) is not true. The belief that ASTs increases deaths from MCIs comes from the TROG 96.01 trial conclusions. Now there has been a retrospective, long term (ten year) meta-analysis [...]
On June the 4th I reported on the SWOG-9346 study presented at the ASCO Meeting in Chicago (http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=3264). In the presentation by principal investigator, Maha Hussain, M.D., F.A.C.P., from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Hussain reported that intermittent androgen-deprivation (IAD) therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer with bone metastasis is not [...]
Firmagon, the newly FDA approved gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor blocker should perhaps be considered as a better alternative to the traditionally used ADT drugs like lupron and zoladex (GnRH agonists) which are the current standard of care. Recent data released from the ongoing five-year Firmagon (degarelix) extension study (CS21a) has demonstrated the long term efficacy [...]
One of our biggest disputes around hormone deprivation (ADT) concerns the question of scheduling. Traditionally, ADT involved staying on the therapy drug forever. However, ADT causes significant side effects that negatively impacts both the quality of life as well as posing potential significant medical problems. Over the last five or so years there has been [...]
What is the primary treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer? We all know the answer, it is hormone therapy. Almost without exception, when we get diagnosed, we are put on to hormone therapy (ADT). ADT makes us feel terribly, it affects our stamina, our memory, our attention span, gives us hot flashes and weakens [...]
