Androgen and prostate cancer: the role of primary androgen deprivation therapy in localized prostate cancer

BackgroundThe basic mechanisms and clinical efficacy of primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT), especially combined androgen blockade (CAB) for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa) have been outlined. An important point relates to which patients are suitable candidates for PADT.MethodsA retrospective review of the efficacy of PADT in 628 patients with localized or locally advanced PCa treated with PADT at seven institutions in Japan was carried out.ResultsIt was found that more than 30% of low- or intermediate-risk localized PCa patients could have their disease controlled over the long-term by PADT alone. Short-term or intermittent PADT could not be recommended because of the possibility of character change in the cancer cells as a result of incomplete androgen ablation.ConclusionAlgorithms are proposed for the treatment of localized PCa not only in low- and intermediate-risk groups, but also in the high-risk group. Future research directions are indicated.