Hormonal therapy in prostate cancer

Abstract

Approximately 80-90% of untreated prostate cancer is androgen dependent for its proliferation and survival. It is standard to treat patients with metastatic prostate cancer by hormonal rather than definitive therapy such as radical prostatectomy or external radiotherapy. The purpose of hormonal therapy in prostate cancer is to decrease the signal to the androgen receptor which leads to apoptosis and diminished proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Currently, surgical castration, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRH agonists), antiandrogens and glucocorticoids are available as hormonal therapies in Japan. This article reviewed the development of a sustained-releasing system of LHRH agonists which was clinically applied by the unique drug delivery system. This system enabled male patients to be kept under the castrated androgen level without orchiectomv and relieves patients' mental and Dhvsical burden.