Efficacy and toxicity between luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogue therapy and maximal androgen blockade therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer in China

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and toxicity between luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRH-a) therapy and maximal androgen blockade (MAB) therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer in China. Materials and methods: A total of 392 patients with advanced prostate cancer were included in the study. Patients who received LHRH-a therapy were included in LHRH-a group (n=120) and those who accepted MAB therapy were included in MAB group (n=272). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and complication rates were compared between two groups. Results: No significant difference was found in PFS (25.4±1.0 vs. 25.3±0.6, P=0.354) and OS (34.6±1.0 vs. 36.3±0.6, P=0.215) between the two groups. LHRH-a group had significantly lower incidence of hot flush (24.2% vs. 34.9%, P=0.035), anaemia (8.3% vs. 38.2%, P<0.001), aminotransferase elevation (5.8% vs. 23.2%, P<0.001), weakness (8.3% vs. 18.8%, P=0.009) and constipation (3.3% vs. 12.9%, P=0.004) compared with MAB group. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was associated with PFS and OS in patients with PCa. Conclusions: LHRH-a therapy has similar efficacy but lower side effect compared with MAB therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer.