VACUOLATION IN PROSTATE-CANCER CELLS FOLLOWING LUTEINIZING-HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE ANALOG TREATMENT

Objective To assess whether the 'oestrogen effect' of vacuolation in t reated prostatic cancer cells is seen after luteinizing hormone releas ing hormone (LHRH) analogue therapy. Patients and methods Eight patien ts with locally advanced prostate cancer were treated with the LHRH an alogue, leuprorelin acetate. Biopsies taken pretreatment and after 3 m onths were assessed for the presence or absence of microscopic vacuola tion. Results Seven out of eight patients had evidence of vacuolation induced or accentuated by treatment. Conclusions Recent research sugge sts that both stilboestrol and LHRH analogues have a direct cytotoxic effect on prostate cell lines in vitro, which appears to be supported by these findings. Vacuolation seems to be a normal consequence of tre atment with LHRH analogues.