A Comparison of a Powerful Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue Agonist and Estrogen in the Treatment of Advanced Prostatic Cancer

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Abstract
LHRH agonists presently are being evaluated in the treatment of patients with metastatic prostatic cancer. To determine the comparative benefits of a specific luteinizing hormone release hormone agonist [6-Leu (1-9) LHRH nonapeptide ethylamide] relative to conventional estrogen therapy 23 patients with stage D2 prostatic cancer were randomized to receive either 1 mg LHRH agonist daily (12) or 3 mg diethylstilbestrol/day (11). Both agents were effective in inducing a remission in all patients, although diethylstilbestrol was slightly faster. The early phase of treatment with the LHRH agonist was dominated by a transient reversible deterioration (the flare) of the patient, which was believed to be related to the agonist-induced increase in serum androgens. At 1 yr of followup adverse effects in both groups were minor but the proportion of patients with progression in the LHRH agonist group (6 of 12) was significantly higher than that in the diethylstilbestrol group (0 of 11). Further investigation is required to determine the role of LHRH agonist in the treatment of patients with advanced prostatic cancer.