Efficacy of maximal androgen blockade versus castration alone in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer： a retrospective clinical experience from a Chinese medical centre

In this retrospective study, we evaluated and compared the efficacy and toxicities of maximal androgen blockade （MAB） versus castration alone in Chinese patients with advanced prostate cancer. From 1996 to 2004, 608 patients with advanced prostate cancer were included in the study. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to different therapeutic regimens. Of the 608 patients, 300 patients were treated with MAB （castration plus nonsteroidal antiandrogens） and the remaining 308 were treated with castration alone. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates of these patients were 73.7% and 56%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, MAB was associated with not only the improvement of progression-free survival （PFS） （increased by 10 months） but also a 20.6% reduction in mortality risk compared with castration alone. In contrast, the efficacy of MAB was not superior to castration alone for patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Interestingly, among patients with MAB, those using bicalutamide had a longer PFS than those using flutamide; this was especially so in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Almost all of the toxicities due to the hormone therapy were mild to moderate and manageable. To conclude, in China, hormone therapies, including MAB and castration alone, have been standard treatments for advanced prostate cancer. For patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, castration alone might be adequately practical and efficient. In patients with metastatic prostate cancer, however, MAB has superior efficacy over castration alone. It is clear that MAB should be considered the first-line standard treatment for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.     

Early and delayed castrations confer a similar survival advantage in TRAMP mice

The most appropriate time to introduce androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer remains controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of early versus delayed surgical castration on prostate cancer progression and survival in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate （TRAMP） model. TRAMP mice were randomly divided into three groups： the early castration group （on which castration was performed at the age of 4 weeks）, the delayed castration group （on which castration was performed when abdominal tumours could be palpated）, and the sham-castrated group. Mice were monitored daily throughout their lives until cancer-related death or the develop- ment of an obviously moribund appearance, at which time the individual mouse was killed. Androgen receptor expression in prostate tumours was also evaluated. The results shows that the average lifespan in early castration, delayed castration and sham-castrated groups were 54.1 weeks, 59.9 weeks and 39.1 weeks, respectively. Both early castration and delayed castration conferred a statistically significant survival advantage when compared with the sham-castrated group （P 〈 0.001）. However, the difference in lifespan between the early castration group and the delayed castration group was not statistically significant （P = 0.85）. The increase in lifespan in the TRAMP mice that received either early or delayed castration correlated with lower G/B value （genitourinary tract weight/body weight） at death than the sham-castrated mice. In conclusion, early and delayed castrations in TRAMP mice pro- longed survival to a similar extent. This finding may provide a guide for clinical practice in prostate cancer therapy.     

Prostate-specific antigen half-life： a new predictor of progression- free survival and overall survival in Chinese prostate cancer patients

We investigated the potential value of prostate-specific antigen half-life （PSAHL） and decreasing velocity （PSAVd） to predict progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS） in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. A total of 153 patients treated with hormonal therapy were included in the study. Of these, 78 patients progressed to hormone- refractory prostate cancer （HRPC） and 24 patients died by the end of follow-up. PSAHL was defined as the time during which prostate-specific antigen （PSA） concentration became half of the initial value during the first hormonal therapy. PSAVd reflected the decreasing velocity of PSA during the first hormonal therapy. PFS was defined as the interval from the beginning of hormonal therapy to HRPC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate whether PSAHL and PSAVd were significantly associated with PFS and OS. The median PSAHL and PSAVd were 0.50 months and 33.8 ng mL^-1 per month. The median PFS and OS were 22.7 months （95% confidence interval [CI], 22.0-29.6 months） and 43.5 months （95% CI, 37.9-48.4 months）, respectively. On univariate and multivariate analysis, long PSAHL （〉 0.5 months）, metastatic disease, high biopsy Gleason scores （〉 8） and high nadir PSA （〉 0.4 ng mL^-1） were all found to be significantly associated with short PFS. Long PSAHL, high nadir PSA and short PSA doubling time （PSADT 〈 2.0 months） were significantly associated with short OS. There were no significant relationships between PSAVd and either PFS or OS. Thus, PSAHL is a promising new independent predictor of survival. Patients with long PSAHL were identified as those at high risk for a relatively short PFS and OS.     

The biochemical efficacy of primary cryoablation combined with prolonged total androgen suppression compared with radiotherapy on high-risk prostate cancer： a 3-year pilot study

To gain beneficial effects in the management of high-risk prostate cancer, an integrated approach that combines local therapy and androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） was used. We compared biochemical responses between primary cryosurgical ablation of the prostate （CSAP） combined with prolonged ADT and radiation combined with ADT, which is the established modality in high-risk disease. A total of 33 high-risk patients received CSAP combined with ADT for 3 months before and up to 24 months after treatment. This patient group was matched with another 33 patients who had undergone three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy （3D-CRT） with the same protocol for ADT. Biochemical recurrence （BCR） was assessed by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology （ASTRO） definition, the Phoenix definition and a prostate-specific antigen （PSA） cutoff of 0.5 ng mL^-1. Median follow-up was 61.0 ± 11.9 months for the CSAP ＋ ADT group and 86.0±15.8 months for the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group. In the CSAP group, major complications including rectourethral fistula and incontinence were not noted. In the CSAP ＋ ADT group, 57.0% had BCR using the ASTRO definition, 21.2% using the Phoenix definition and 54.5% using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL^-1. In the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group, 54.5%, 21.2% and 54.5% had BCR using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. In the CSAP ＋ ADT group, the BCR-free survival （BRFS） was 54 ± 10 months using the ASTRO definition, 65 ± 5 months using the Phoenix definition and 51 ± 4 months using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL-1. In the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group, the BRFS was 68 ± 12, 93 ± 19 and 70 ± 18 months using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. By the log-rank test, the BRFS values for each group were not statistically different. This intermediate-term result indicated that primary CSAP combined with prolonged ADT offers a parallel biochemical response compared with radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer.     

1995-2008年北京医院前列腺癌诊断状况变迁

目的 了解血清前列腺特异抗原(PSA)临床应用推广后前列腺癌诊断状况的变化.方法 回顾性分析1995-2008年北京医院新诊断的前列腺癌病例资料,对诊断例数、确诊年龄、PSA水平以及临床分期状况进行分析.结果 14年间共新诊断前列腺癌患者432例,确诊年龄40～90岁,平均(72.0±7.8)岁.新诊断例数逐年增加,尤以2007-2008年显著.与1995-1999年相比,2004-2008年局限性前列腺癌比例由23.9%上升至36.3%,转移性前列腺癌比例由49.3%下降至32.1%;PSA 4～10 ng/ml者比例由12.7%上升至29.2%,PSA＞100 ng/ml者比例由22.5%下降至13.2%.结论 1995-2008年北京医院新诊断前列腺癌例数上升,早期诊断率增加,诊断年龄无明显偏移.前列腺癌的早期诊断率仍有待提高.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the morbidity trend of prostate cancer since the clinical usage of PSA was introduced in Beijing Hospital.Methods Retrospectively we analyzed prostate cancer cases diagnosed in Beijing Hospital from 1995 to 2008.The incidence, age, PSA and clinical stage at diagnosis were taken into account.Results Four hundred and thirty-two cases were enrolled into the study.Who were aged 40 - 90 years old, mean age 72.0 ± 7.8 years.The most frequent age at diagnosis was 70 to 79 years.The incidence increased annually with the most significant increase taking place in 2007 and 2008.Compared with the period 1995 to 1999, the localized prostate cancer rate between 2004 and 2008 increased from 23.9% to 36.3%; the metastatic prostate cancer rate decreased from 49.3% to 32.1%; the rate of patients with PSA 4 - 10 ng,/ml increased from 12.7% to 29.2%; the rate of PSA ＞ 100 ng/ml decreased from 22.5% to 13.2%.Conclusions The incidence and early detection rate of prostate cancer in Beijing Hospital increased from 1995 to 2008.The age at diagnosis had not significantly changed.However, the early detection rate should be improved.     

Improving intermittent androgen deprivation therapy： lessons learned from basic and translational research

Intermittent androgen deprivation therapy （IADT） is an alternative to continuous androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） in prostate cancer patients with nonmetastatic disease. ADT is associated with numerous side effects such as hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, anemia, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and premature cardiovascular disease. IADT was developed with the intention of improving the quality of life and to delay progression of prostate cancer to castration resistance. The benefits of slightly improved quality of life by IADT compared to ADT were demonstrated in multiple clinical trials. IADT was noted to be noninferior to ADT in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer but in studies performed in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, the results were inconclusive. Our recent studies suggested that the administration of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors during the off-cycle of IADT can significantly prolong the survival of mice bearing androgen-sensitive prostate tumors when off-cycle duration was short. This review discusses the survival benefit of 5 alpha-reductase inhibition in IADT in animal models and the potential translation of this finding into clinic.     

Androgen receptor expression in clinically localized prostate cancer： immunohistochemistry study and literature review

Aim： To evaluate androgen receptor （AR） expression in clinically localized prostate cancer （PCa）. Methods： Specimens were studied from 232 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostatic adenocarcinoma without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy or chemotherapy at our institution between November 2001 and June 2005. Immunohistochemical study was performed using an anti-human AR monoclonal antibody AR441. The mean AR density in the hot spots of different histological areas within the same sections were compared and the correlation of malignant epithelial AR density with clinicopathological parameters such as Gleason score, tumor, nodes and metastases （TNM） stage and pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen （PSA） value was assessed. Results： AR immunoreactivity was almost exclusively nuclear and was observed in tumor cells, non-neoplastic glandular epithelial cells and a proportion of peritumoral and interglandular stromal cells. Mean percentage of AR-positive epithelial cells was significantly higher in cancer tissues than that in normal prostate tissues （mean e SD, 90.0% ± 9.3% vs. 85.3% ±9.7%, P 〈 0.001）. The histological score yielded similar results. The percentage ofAR immunoreactive prostatic cancer nuclei and histological score were not correlated with existing parameters such as Gleason score, tumor, nodes and metastases stage and pre-treatment PSA value in this surgically treated cohort. Conclusion： The results of the present study suggest that there may be limited clinical use for determining AR expression （if evaluated in hot spots） in men with localized PCa.     

Establishment of a prostatic hyperplasia model with beagle dogs

Objective: To establish a prostatic hyperplasia model with beagle dogs. Methods: Twenty-four male beagle dogs, 2 years of age, were divided into the treatment and control groups at random and were administrated testosterone propionate (TP) i.m. two months after castration. Three treatment groups were set with the doses of TP at 0.8 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg, respectively, and the control was given the same volume of vehicle. Two months later, half of the animals were killed and sera samples were obtained. The wet weight and volume of prostate were measured. The dihydro testosterone (DHT) level of the serum and prostate were determined with the commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit. The prostate was sectioned, fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Pictures were taken with a digital camera under the microscope and were analyzed with a computer for the epithelial cell height and the acinar luminal area with micro image analysis software. The prostate volume was measured with ultrasonic diagnost     

Neoadjuvant hormonal deprivation for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of radical prostatectomy combined with preoperative neoadjuvant hormonal ablation therapy for prostate cancer （PCa）. In this study, a total of 31 patients with local PCa underwent radical prostatectomy; of these, 12 patients underwent preoperative hormonal deprivation with a combination of goserelin and flutamide for a period of 5.6 months. Data regarding clinical characteristics were compared between the neoadjuvant therapy and radical prostatectomy groups. A total of 31 patients received pelvic lymph node clearance, and the rate of positive lymph nodes was 12.9% （4/31）. Serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） was 8.9 ± 1.2μg L^-1 after the neoadjuvant therapy and 0.4±0.3μg L^-1 one month after the radical prostatectomy. There were significant differences in the positive surgical margins, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node metastasis between the neoadjuvant therapy group （n = 12） and the radical prostatectomy group （n = 19, P 〈 0.01）. The resulsts indicates that preoperative hormonal deprivation induced by goserelin and flutamide can decrease clinical and pathological staging, but assessment of its influence on long-term prognosis requires further study.     

Incidental prostate cancer in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens

Aim： To investigate the rates of prostate cancer （PCa） in radical cystoprostatectomy （RCP） specimens for bladder cancer in mainland China. To determine the follow-up outcome of patients with two concurrent cancers and identify whether prostate-specific antigen （PSA） is a useful tool for the detection of PCa prior to surgery. Methods： From January 2002 to January 2007, 264 male patients with bladder cancer underwent RCP at our center. All patients underwent digital rectal examination （DRE） and B ultrasound. Serum PSA levels were tested in 168 patients. None of the patients had any evidence of PCa before RCP. Entire prostates were embedded and sectioned at 5 mm intervals. Results： Incidental PCa was observed in 37 of 264 （14.0%） RCP specimens. Of these, 12 （32.4%） were clinically significant according to an accepted definition. The PSA levels were not significantly different between patients with PCa and those without PCa, nor between patients with significant PCa and those with insignificant PCa. Thirty-four patients with incidental PCa were followed up. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, two patients with PSA 〉 4 ng/mL underwent castration. None of the patients died of PCa. Conclusion： The incidence of PCa in RCP specimens in mainland China is lower than that in most developed countries. PSA cannot identify asymptomatic PCa prior to RCP. In line with published reports, incidental PCa does not impact the prognosis of bladder cancer patients undergoing RCE     

间歇性内分泌治疗与放射性粒子~(125)Ⅰ植入联合应用治疗晚期前列腺癌

目的探讨应用间歇性内分泌治疗及放射性粒子植入联合应用治疗晚期前列腺癌的治疗效果。方法临床分期为T3期前列腺癌27例,间歇性内分泌治疗为药物去势联合抗雄激素治疗的全雄性激素阻断治疗,治疗时限选择为内照射前3个月加内照射后6个月,以后根据每月PSA的检测结果决定是否进行内分泌治疗,如果PSA持续升高,就再次启用内分泌治疗。内照射治疗是通过计算机三维治疗计划系统,经直肠超声引导将125I粒子均匀植入前列腺内。结果27例病人手术均顺利完成,未发生出血,感染等并发症。术后随访36～57个月,平均49个月。27例患者术后6个月后血清PSA均降至正常,前列腺体积明显缩小。其中3例患者术后26个月PSA持续上升,经内分泌治疗3～5个月后2例下降至正常范围,1例恶化发生骨转移,PSA无进展生存率96.3%。结论间歇性内分泌治疗与放射性粒子125I植入联合应用是近年来晚期前列腺癌综合治疗的有效手段。     

经尿道前列腺切除治疗晚期前列腺癌并膀胱出口梗阻的疗效分析

目的:探讨经尿道前列腺切除在晚期前列腺癌并膀胱出口梗阻(BOO)治疗中的作用,分析经尿道前列腺切除对患者生存时间及生活质量的影响。方法:对2001～2004年间诊断为晚期前列腺癌并BOO的患者223例进行回顾性分析,根据治疗方法分为手术组(经尿道前列腺切除加内分泌治疗)127例,单纯内分泌治疗组96例。分别在术后3、12、24个月对两组患者的IPSS评分、最大尿流率、PSA、剩余尿量、疾病相关死亡和进展人数进行统计分析。结果:手术组IPSS评分和最大尿流率在术后3个月明显低于单纯内分泌治疗组(P<0.05)。两组患者在各时间点上的PSA、剩余尿量、疾病相关死亡人数和疾病进展人数的差异无统计学意义。手术组术后有不同比例的尿道狭窄、血尿、尿路感染和尿失禁发生。结论:经尿道前列腺切除加内分泌治疗晚期前列腺癌并BOO的患者,在短期内可以迅速降低IPSS评分,提高尿流率,改善生活质量;远期效果与单纯内分泌治疗相当。同时,手术本身也可能带来一些并发症,困扰患者的正常生活。     

间歇内分泌治疗联合~（125）I放射性粒子植入治疗局限性前列腺癌的临床观察

目的探讨间歇性内分泌治疗（IHT）联合125I放射性粒子组织间植入治疗局限性前列腺癌的临床价值。方法 56例局限性前列腺癌患者在采用直肠超声引导植入125I放射性粒子前后,分别给予间歇内分泌治疗（全雄激素阻断）,术前为2～3（平均2.8）个月及术后3～5（平均3.6）个月,以后依据每月监测PSA的值决定是否再次启动内分泌治疗。结果 56例手术均顺利完成,手术时间30～62（平均52）min,术中使用穿刺针21～30根,植入125I放射性粒子数40～82枚,平均58枚。术后随访6～68个月,平均48个月。术后2～4个月所有患者的PSA都降到0.2ng/mL以下,其中20例的PSA值降到0ng/mL。对随访中16例再次出现PSA升高的患者,给予间歇内分泌治疗,2例同时加用外放疗,其中12例患者PSA维持0.2ng/mL以下,4例转变为雄激素非依赖性,并发生骨转移,其中2例术后4年死亡。术后出现血尿14.28%（8/56）,轻至中度尿路刺激症状及会阴部不适28.57%（16/56）,直肠刺激征10.71%（6/56）,血便1.78%（1/56）,多数患者症状随访1年后缓解。无尿道狭窄及尿失禁等并发症出现。目前52例患者的PSA值在0.2ng/mL以下,处于脱离治疗期。2年、3年和5年PSA无进展生存率分别是96.43%（54/56）、94.64%（53/56）、92.86%（52/56）。结论间歇性内分泌治疗联合125I放射性粒子植入是治疗局限性前列腺癌的安全有效方案。     

^125I粒子植入术联合手术去势治疗局部晚期前列腺癌40例报告

目的：探讨^125I粒子植入术联合手术去势治疗局部晚期前列腺癌的临床效果。方法：采用直肠B超引导下经会阴植入^125I粒子并同时行双侧睾丸切除术治疗晚期前列腺癌患者40例,年龄52～87岁,平均73岁;Gleason评分为3～9分,PSA检测为0．24～2736．46ng／ml,临床分期为T3N0M0。结果：所有患者手术过程顺利,平均植入粒子71±15粒。术后随访10～76个月,中位随访时间44．5个月。远期手术并发症（〉1年）尿失禁发生率为2．5％（1／40）,轻度血便发生率为10％（4／40）,尿道直肠瘘发生率为2．5％（1／40）。1例在术后69个月死亡,有5例在术后平均15．8个月出现PSA生化复发,累计PSA无进展患者生存率为86．9％。结论：运用^125I粒子植入术联合手术去势术治疗局部晚期前列腺癌患者长期并发症少,临床效果良好。     

125Ⅰ放射性籽源植入术联合内分泌疗法治疗前列腺癌的疗效评价（附29例报告）

目的：初步评价125Ⅰ放射性籽源植入术联合内分泌疗法治疗前列腺癌的临床疗效.方法：应用术中经直肠超声引导及治疗计划系统软件经会阴穿刺植入125 Ⅰ放射性籽源并同期行手术去势或药物去势治疗前列腺癌患者29例.结果：术后6个月～5年随访,发现29例患者前列腺体积及前列腺特异抗原（PSA）均有不同程度降低,8例淋巴结转移患者及4例骨转移患者转移灶均缩小,术前骨痛及排尿症状均有好转,且无一例出现尿潴留及便血等严重并发症.结论：125Ⅰ放射性籽源植入术并内分泌疗法对各期前列腺癌均有明显的治疗作用,是一种安全有效的前列腺癌综合治疗手段.     

晚期前列腺癌的诊断与治疗(附41例报告)

目的:提高晚期前列腺癌的治疗效果。方法:回顾性分析采用睾丸切除术、内分泌治疗、放射治疗和同位素治疗等综合治疗的41例晚期前列腺癌患者资料。结果:41例经随访3～12个月,尿路梗阻症状均有不同程度改善,前列腺明显缩小,血清前列腺特异性抗原迅速降低,骨痛缓解。结论:积极的综合治疗能明显提高患者的生活质量     

KTP激光汽化治疗伴下尿路梗阻的晚期前列腺癌

目的 总结经尿道KTP激光前列腺汽化术(PVP)治疗伴有下尿路梗阻晚期前列腺癌的临床疗效.方法 伴有下尿路梗阻的晚期前列腺癌患者33例.年龄(76±6)岁.其中T3 18例,T4 15例.前列腺体积36～140 ml.患者术前IPSS为28.2±3.6,QOL为5.0±0.7,Q_(max) 4.7～10.1 ml/s,残余尿量(RU)为(126.0±25.2)ml.33例均行KTP激光经尿道汽化前列腺治疗.19例初发前列腺癌患者同时行PVP和睾丸切除,14例为睾丸切除和抗雄激素等治疗后仍有明显的排尿梗阻症状,有尿潴留史15例.分别对术前及PVP术后1、6个月患者IPSS、QOL Qmax、血PSA、RU等指标进行统计分析.采用SPSS 13.0软件处理数据,均数间比较采用配对t检验.结果 33例手术经过顺利.28例术后3～4 d拔除导尿管,排尿情况改善明显;5例初次拔管后仍有排尿困难而再次留置导尿,延时拔管后均能自行排尿.术后并发症包括血尿14例、短暂尿失禁3例.术后1个月时IPSS、QOL、Q_(max)、血PSA、RU分别为14.6±2.8、3.1±0.4、(13.2±5.6)ml/s、(16.3±13.4)ng/ml、(24.6±5.9)ml;术后6个月时分别为14.2±3.3、3.4±0.5、(12.2±3.4)ml/s、(8.0±6.5)ng/ml、(31.1±8.7)ml.术后1、6个月的IPSS评分、QOL、Qmax、血PSA与术前比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),术后1、6个月间IPSS评分、QOL、Q_(max)比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 PVP可以有效解除前列腺癌患者的下尿路梗阻症状,明显改善患者生活质量.安全、有效.     

正常血清PSA进展期前列腺癌1例报告并文献复习

目的:探讨正常血清PSA进展期前列腺癌患者的诊断及治疗方法,提高前列腺癌的诊疗水平。方法:回顾性分析2010年收治的1例正常血清PSA进展期前列腺癌患者临床资料,结合相关文献,讨论正常血清PSA进展期前列腺癌的诊断及治疗方法。结果:患者血清PSA水平一直处于正常水平,经病理学检查证实为前列腺癌,临床分期为T4N0M0,行前列腺去势术+抗雄激素治疗,现已无进展生存15个月。结论:正常血清PSA进展期前列腺癌多系特殊病理类型的前列腺癌,预后相对较差。在进行PSA筛查时,需综合考虑f/tPSA比值;术后随诊时需定期进行影像学检查,以了解有无疾病进展;治疗上除采取内分泌治疗外,必要时宜早期采用放疗及化疗。     

Changes in prostatic acid phosphatase, gamma-seminoprotein and prostate specific antigen after endocrine therapy for stage D2 prostate cancer]

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were examined on 120 cases of stage D2 prostate cancer between 1979 and 1989. All patients received endocrine therapy as the first treatment; castration and immediate administration of estrogen or antiandrogen (101), LH-RH analogs (13), estrogen (3) and antiandrogen (3). The actuarial survival rates were calculated by the cause-specific survival method. Pretreatment levels of PAP, gamma-Sm and PSA did not influence prognosis. After start of treatment, the relationship between the changes of the markers and prognosis were examined. At 1 month after the start of the treatment, normalization of PAP or gamma-Sm was not reflected in the following course. On the contrary, at 3 and 6 months, groups with normalization of PAP or gamma-Sm showed better prognosis than those with elevated levels. The same tendency of PSA was obtained at 6 months after start of treatment. In patients with normalized PAP at 3 months, abnormal gamma-Sm showed worse prognosis than normalized gamma-Sm. Therefore, the significance of determination on the two markers was manifested. As histological grade influenced the following course, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with normalized PAP at 3 months showed better prognosis than those with elevated levels. In conclusion, it is worthwhile to measure multiple markers for predicting the prognosis of stage D2 prostate cancer treated with endocrine therapy.     

Efficacy of primary hormonal therapy for patients with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer: A retrospective multicenter study

AIM: A retrospective review of patients with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer was performed to evaluate the efficacy of primary hormonal therapy and predict long-term prognosis in these patients. METHODS: A total of 628 patients who were diagnosed with stage T1c to T3 prostate cancer were treated with primary hormonal therapy at participating institutions. The patients were classified based on pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, and time to nadir PSA level. Disease-specific and progression-free survival rates were investigated, and compared among the subgroups. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 74.5 years, and median pretreatment PSA level was 14.0 ng/mL. A total of 399 patients (63.5%) were treated with combined androgen blockade (CAB), and 229 patients (36.5%) were treated with castration monotherapy. The disease-specific survival rate of all 628 patients was 89.1% at 8 years. The group that showed a good response to primary hormonal therapy (Group G, pretreatment PSA level < or =20 ng/mL, Gleason score < or =7, and time to nadir PSA < or =6 months) accounted for approximately one-third of the total number of T1c-T3 patients. Disease-specific and progression-free survival rates at 8 years in Group G were 98.9% and 82.0%, respectively. These rates increased to 100% and 87.3%, respectively, in patients receiving CAB treatment in Group G. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the usefulness of primary hormonal therapy, especially CAB treatment, for patients showing a good response to hormonal therapy in long-term control of localized and locally advanced prostate cancer.