A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health has given doctors and patients clearer guidance on how long hormone therapy, known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), should last for prostate cancer.
ADT is a common treatment that lowers testosterone to help slow the growth of prostate cancer. It is often used together with radiation therapy. While ADT can be effective, staying on it for too long can lead to serious side effects such as weak bones, muscle loss, and heart problems.
The study looked at data from over 10,000 men in 13 clinical trials around the world. It found that most of the benefits of ADT happen within the first 9 to 12 months of starting treatment. Going beyond that time brings only small additional benefits but increases the chances of other health issues.
The researchers found that the ideal length of hormone therapy depends on how aggressive the cancer is. For men with low-risk prostate cancer, hormone therapy may not be needed at all.
Those with intermediate-risk cancer seem to benefit most from 6 to 12 months of ADT. For men with high-risk cancer, up to 12 months is often enough. Only those with very high-risk cancer may need longer treatment.
This study is important because current medical guidelines are not very clear. Right now, doctors often recommend 4 to 6 months of hormone therapy for intermediate-risk patients and 18 to 36 months for those at high risk. But these suggestions are based on older research, and until now, doctors weren’t sure what the best duration really was.
The researchers analyzed survival rates, cancer-specific outcomes, and deaths from other causes in their large data set. They found that shorter ADT worked just as well for many men, especially when combined with radiation.
The longer a man stayed on hormone therapy, the higher the chance of side effects related to the heart, metabolism, or bones. This means that doctors may be able to reduce treatment time without losing the benefits of cancer control.
Dr. Amar Kishan, one of the lead authors of the study, said this research supports a more personal approach to prostate cancer care. Instead of using the same treatment length for everyone, doctors can now look at each patient’s cancer risk, age, general health, and preferences when deciding how long hormone therapy should last.
The goal is to protect the patient’s health not just by fighting cancer, but also by avoiding unnecessary side effects.
In summary, this study provides strong evidence that shorter hormone therapy can be enough for many men with prostate cancer. It helps doctors avoid over-treating patients and gives men a better chance at staying healthy during and after cancer treatment.
By using this new information, doctors and patients can work together to choose a treatment plan that is safer, more effective, and tailored to each individual.
If you care about prostate cancer, please read studies about 5 types of bacteria linked to aggressive prostate cancer, and new strategy to treat advanced prostate cancer.
For more information about prostate cancer, please see recent studies about new way to lower risk of prostate cancer spread, and results showing three-drug combo boosts survival in metastatic prostate cancer.
The study is published in JAMA Oncology.
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