Aktuelle Aspekte der Hormontherapie beim Prostatakarzinom

The main area for the use of hormone therapy in terms of androgen deprivation is metastatic prostate cancer in the early stages, in which androgen-sensitivity of tumor growth is still present. Available methods and pharmacological substances for hormone therapy are the classic bilateral orchiectomy, non-steroidal antagonists, LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) analogues, and LHRH antagonists. In the late stage of metastatic disease with the onset of androgen-resistance, generally a continuation of hormone therapy is recommended with a possible change of the therapy regimen in terms of a secondary hormonal manipulation. However, whether patients benefit from a continuation of androgen suppression in the so-called hormone refractory stage is currently discussed controversially. Nevertheless, in addition to the classical substances, newer groups of substances such as androgen biosynthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate are currently being clinically tested.