AN ASSESSMENT OF MAXIMAL ANDROGEN BLOCKADE IN THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA

Maximal androgen blockade (MAB) using leuprorelin or goserelin plus fl utamide provides a significant survival advantage in patients with D-2 prostate cancer. It is noteworthy that in a nonconcurrent comparison leuprorelin plus flutamide was more effective than leuprorelin plus ni lutamide. The benefits of leuprorelin plus flutamide outweigh the side effects and costs of patients with bone metastases limited to the axi al skeleton have a significantly prolonged time to progression and sur vival, Novel indications of MAB are neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies . However, a final benefit assessment is not possible at the present t ime, The side effects of MAB can be minimized when given intermittentl y Studies to test its effectiveness have been initiated.