Androgen deprivation therapy impact on quality of life and cardiovascular health, monitoring therapeutic replacement

Prostate cancer therapy outcome prediction: are miRNAs a suitable guide for therapeutic decisions?

BACKGROUND

Radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and androgen-deprivation therapy are among the most common treatment options for different forms of prostate cancer (PCa). However, making therapeutic decisions is difficult due to the lack of reliable prediction markers indicating therapy outcomes in clinical practice. The involvement of miRNAs in all mechanisms of the PCa development and their easy detection characterize them as attractive PCa biomarkers. Although there are extensive data on the role of miRNAs in PCa therapy resistance and sensitivity development, the issues of whether they could be used as a guide for therapy choice and, if so, how we can progress toward this goal, remain unclear. Thus, generalizable reviews and studies which summarize, compare, and analyze data on miRNA involvement in responses to different types of PCa therapies are required.

OBJECTIVES

Data on the involvement of miRNAs in therapy responses, on the role of cross-miRNA expression in different therapies, and on miRNA targets were analyzed in order to determine the miRNA-related factors which can lend perspective to the future development of personalized predictors of PCa sensitivity/resistance to therapies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data available on the miRNAs associated with different PCa therapies (resistance and sensitivity therapies) are summarized and analyzed in this study, including analyses using bioinformatics resources. Special attention was dedicated to the mechanisms of the development of therapy resistance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A comprehensive combined analysis of the current data revealed a panel of miRNAs that were shown to be most closely associated with the PCa therapy response and were found to regulate the genes involved in PCa development via cell proliferation regulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, metastasis and invasion regulation, androgen-independent development, and colony formation.

CONCLUSION

The selected miRNA-based panel has the potential to be a guide for therapeutic decision making in the effective treatment of PCa.

miRNAs and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is mainly used for the treatment of advanced, metastatic or recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). However, patients progress to ADT resistance and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with a poor prognosis. Reliable validated markers of ADT resistance with proven clinical utility are necessary for timely correction of the therapy as well as for improvement of patient quality of life. MiRNAs involved in the ADT response and CRPC development via multiple mechanisms may act as biomarkers for patient outcomes. Available data on miRNAs associated with the ADT response (resistance and sensitivity) are summarized and analyzed in the manuscript, including analyses using bioinformatics resources. Molecular targets of miRNAs, as well as reciprocal relations between miRNAs and their targets, were studied using different databases. Special attention was dedicated to the mechanisms of ADT resistance and CRPC development, including testosterone, PI3K-AKT, VEGF pathways and associated genes. Several different approaches can be used to search for miRNAs associated with the ADT response, each of which focuses on the associated set of miRNAs - potential markers of ADT. The intersection of these approaches and combined analysis allowed us to select the most promising miRNA markers of the ADT response. Meta-analysis of the current data indicated that the selected 5 miRNAs (miRNAs - 125b, miR-21, miR-23b, miR-27b and miR-221) and 14 genes are involved in the regulation of key processes of CRPC development and represent the most promising predictors of the ADT response, further demonstrating their potential in combination therapy for advanced PCa.

Population-based Assessment of Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy Utilization for Relapsed, Nonmetastatic, Hormone-sensitive Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

OBJECTIVES

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care for men with nonmetastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC) after treatment failure. Although intermittent ADT (iADT) is noninferior to continuous ADT for prostate cancer outcomes, with superior quality of life and cost-to-benefit ratio, little is known regarding its real-world utilization. The authors aimed to determine the utilization of iADT in a Canadian Provincial Cancer Program for relapsed nmHSPC and identified risk factors associated with the nonreceipt of iADT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study used linked administrative databases to identify all patients with relapsed nmHSPC from 2012 to 2016 and quantified ADT prescription history. Patients were defined as iADT eligible if prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was <4 ng/mL and trending downwards on ≥2 sequential PSAs after ≥6 months of ADT. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with nonreceipt of iADT.

RESULTS

A total of 601 men with relapsed, nmHSPC were included with a median age at relapse of 73 (range, 46 to 96), pre-ADT PSA of 12.2 ng/mL, and a median pre-ADT PSA doubling time of 7.8 months. 80.9% of the cohort were eligible to receive iADT and 74.4% were treated with iADT. On multivariable analysis, patients originally treated with surgery (odds ratio [OR], 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.46) or having a Gleason Score ≥8 (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12-0.78) had decreased odds of receipt of iADT. Patients with longer PSA doubling times were more likely to receive iADT (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.17-6.31).

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of iADT was relatively common for men in Manitoba during the study period, however, the uptake of iADT can be improved among identified subgroups.

Optimization of the 2014 Gleason grade grouping in a Canadian cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the five-tier Gleason grade group (GG) scoring of prostate cancers adopted by the International Society of Urology Pathology (ISUP) in 2014, and to propose modifications to optimize its performance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from PROCURE, a prospective cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy in Québec, 2006-2013. Surgical specimens were evaluated by genitourinary pathologists using 2014 ISUP criteria. Treatment failure was defined as biochemical recurrence and/or initiation of secondary, non-adjuvant therapy. Analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier methods, log-rank tests, Cox proportional hazards models and Harrell's concordance indices.

RESULTS

A total of 1 917 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 69 months. The 5-year treatment failure rates were 9.6%, 23.5%, 43.1%, 52.6% and 84.3% in GG1-5, respectively (P < 0.001 when comparing GG2 with GG3). Treatment failure rates for patients in GG2 and GG3 with tertiary Gleason 5 pattern were higher than patients in the same group without a tertiary pattern (P < 0.001), but were similar to rates for patients in GGs 3 or 4 without a tertiary pattern (P > 0.3). Primary Gleason pattern (4/5) predicted treatment failure in GG5 (5-year failure rates 82.3% vs 97.1%, respectively; P = 0.001). The five-tier GG system had greater accuracy as a prognostic indicator compared with the four-tier system (Harrell's concordance index 0.716 vs 0.676). When upgrading patients in GG2/3 with tertiary Gleason 5 pattern to patients in GG3/4, and separating patients in GG5 by primary Gleason pattern, the Harrell's concordance index increased to 0.730.

CONCLUSION

The five-tier GG system increased accuracy for predicting treatment failure compared with the previous grading systems, but can be further improved.

Risks of Major Long-Term Side Effects Associated with Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Men with Prostate Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To examine the risks and compare the occurrences of major long-term side effects (sexual dysfunction, bone fractures, diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity, acute myocardial infarction [MI], and dementia) in patients with prostate cancer who received androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) with those who did not.

DESIGN

Propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study using Medicare claims data.

DATA SOURCE

National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare linked database.

PATIENTS

A total of 201,797 patients 66 years or older who were diagnosed with any stage of prostate cancer between 1992 and 2009; of these, 94,528 patients received ADT; 107,269 patients did not.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We identified receipt of ADT and number of claims for ADT, and ascertained the long-term treatment-related side effects that occurred during 19 years of follow-up, from 1992-2010, from Medicare claims data. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) of newly developed side effects. Among all potential long-term side effects, the risk of bone fractures was highest (HR 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-1.43), followed by diabetes (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.18-1.24), dementia (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.13-1.20), coronary heart disease (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.14), and acute MI (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.08-1.15) in those who received ADT compared with those who did not. The HRs for bone fractures and diabetes increased steadily as the number of ADT doses increased, indicating a linear trend in the dose-response relationship. Compared with patients who received active surveillance, ADT was associated with a 12% increased risk of sexual dysfunction (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.20). The HR for sexual dysfunction increased to 1.68 (95% CI 1.59-1.77) when ADT was combined with radiation therapy and to 3.54 (95% CI 3.26-3.85) when ADT was combined with radiation and surgery.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that in men with prostate cancer, receipt of ADT was associated with higher risks of bone fractures, diabetes, dementia, coronary heart disease, acute MI, and sexual dysfunction than in those who did not receive ADT.

Narrative medicine in metastatic prostate cancer reveals ways to improve patient awareness & quality of care

AIM

To describe the journey of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in treatment with radium-223.

METHODS

A multiperspective analysis was performed using narrative medicine in four Italian centers.

RESULTS

The substantial impact of mCRPC on quality of life through all phases of the disease was described. After an initial lack of awareness of the disease or denial of its effects, symptoms of pain, fatigue and side effects often led to sadness, fear and loneliness. The majority underwent radium-223 therapy positively, restoring their quality of life and routine activities.

CONCLUSION

Using narrative medicine, the importance of a patient-centered approach in the pathway of care for patients with mCRPC through all the stages of the disease was highlighted.

Cognitive decline in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT: a potential role for exercise training

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective and widely prescribed treatment for prostate cancer (PCa), but it is associated with multiple treatment-induced adverse effects that impact on various musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health outcomes. Emerging research has shown that ADT is also associated with cognitive impairment, which has been linked to a loss of independence, increased falls and fracture risk and greater use of medical services. The aim of this review is to outline the evidence related to the effect of ADT use on cognitive function, and propose a role for exercise training as part of usual care to prevent and/or manage cognitive impairments for PCa survivors on ADT. The following results have been obtained from this study. ADT has been shown to adversely affect specific cognitive domains, particularly verbal memory, visuomotor function, attention and executive function. However, current clinical guidelines do not recommend routine assessment of cognitive function in these men. No studies have examined whether exercise training can preserve or improve cognitive function in these men, but in healthy adults', multimodal exercise training incorporating aerobic training, progressive resistance training (PRT) and challenging motor control exercises have the potential to attenuate cognitive decline. In conclusion, as treatment with ADT for men with PCa has been associated with a decline in cognition, it is recommended that cognitive function be routinely monitored in these men and that regular exercise training be prescribed to preserve (or improve) cognitive function. Assessment of cognition and individualised exercise training should be considered in the usual treatment plan of PCa patients receiving ADT.

Effect of Eischens Yoga During Radiation Therapy on Prostate Cancer Patient Symptoms and Quality of Life: A Randomized Phase II Trial

PURPOSE

A randomized phase II study was performed to measure the potential therapeutic effects of yoga on fatigue, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and overall quality of life (QOL) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The participants were randomized to yoga and no-yoga cohorts (1:1). Twice-weekly yoga interventions were offered throughout the 6- to 9-week courses of RT. Comparisons of standardized assessments were performed between the 2 cohorts for the primary endpoint of fatigue and the secondary endpoints of erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and QOL before, during, and after RT.

RESULTS

From October 2014 to January 2016, 68 eligible PCa patients underwent informed consent and agreed to participate in the study. Of the 68 patients, 18 withdrew early, mostly because of treatment schedule-related time constraints, resulting in 22 and 28 patients in the yoga and no-yoga groups, respectively. Throughout treatment, those in the yoga arm reported less fatigue than those in the control arm, with global fatigue, effect of fatigue, and severity of fatigue subscales showing statistically significant interactions (P<.0001). The sexual health scores (International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire) also displayed a statistically significant interaction (P=.0333). The International Prostate Symptom Score revealed a statistically significant effect of time (P<.0001) but no significant effect of treatment (P=.1022). The QOL measures had mixed results, with yoga having a significant time by treatment effect on the emotional, physical, and social scores but not on functional scores.

CONCLUSIONS

A structured yoga intervention of twice-weekly classes during a course of RT was associated with a significant reduction in pre-existing and RT-related fatigue and urinary and sexual dysfunction in PCa patients.

Cognitive impairment among prostate cancer patients: An overview of reviews

To identify and clarify definitions and methods of measuring cancer-related cognitive impairment among prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and to assess the incidence and prevalence of cognitive impairment. A systematic review of Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL up to December 2015 was undertaken to identify English-language reviews. A total of 28 reviews were identified describing 20 primary studies. There were no studies of incidence. Reported prevalence rates varied between 10% and 69%. Cognitive domains impaired by ADT included: verbal memory, visuospatial ability and executive functions. Cognitive impairment was infrequently defined and four definitions were reported. A variety of measures and methods were used to assess cognitive function including neuropsychological tests, self-report measures and clinical assessments. The finding that, often, one measure was used to assess more than one aspect of cognition is likely to have contributed to imprecise estimates. There is a need to agree a definition of cognitive impairment in the clinical epidemiology of cancer and to standardise the selection of measures in order to aid accurate assessment and fair comparisons across studies regarding the prevalence of cognitive impairment among prostate cancer patients.

Changes in Body Image in Patients with Prostate Cancer over 2 Years of Treatment with a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue (Triptorelin): Results from a Belgian Non-Interventional Study

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy has been associated with worsened body image in prostate cancer patients. Body image and physical presentation changes were investigated in patients receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (triptorelin) as part of treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

Objective

The aim was to evaluate the changes in self-perception of the body and to assess the relationship of these changes over a period of 2 years in men treated with triptorelin as primary therapy for advanced or locally advanced prostate cancer.

Methods

Data were collected for 2 years in accordance with routine clinical practice. Body image was assessed using the body image scale (BIS). Patient body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were also measured.

Results

BIS and BMI data for both baseline and a least one post-baseline visit were available for 98 of the 145 patients enrolled. The median change in BIS score for patients assessed around 12 or 24 months after baseline and at the last observation was zero, indicating no body image deterioration in at least half of patients. Statistically significant BIS score increases were detected in assessments around 6, 12 and 18 months, but not after 2 years, indicating some patients experienced body image deterioration at some point during treatment. Changes in BMI from baseline were modest and generally not statistically significant. Waist circumference increased during the study (mean ± standard deviation increase of 1.00 ± 5.01 cm at the last observation). Positive correlations were determined between increases in BIS score and both BMI and waist circumference (r = 0.235 and 0.267, respectively; p = 0.020 and 0.008) at the last observation for all patients, as well as during the second year of the study.

Conclusions

Most patients did not experience clinically meaningful worsening of body image perception during the study. BMI and waist circumference had a modest impact on body image during study year 2.

Association Between Periodontal Disease and Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

A limited number of studies have reported an association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic periodontitis (CP). The aim of the present study is to assess the association between CP and ED through a systematic review of published literature. To address the focused question, "Is there a relationship between ED and CP?" indexed databases were searched till December 2015 using various key words "erectile dysfunction," "periodontal disease," "periodontitis," "dental infection," and "impotence." Letters to the editor, commentaries, historic reviews, and experimental studies were excluded. The pattern of the present systematic review was customized to primarily summarize the pertinent data. Nine studies were included. Seven studies had a cross-sectional design and two studies were randomized control trials. The number of study participants ranged between 53 and 513,258 individuals with age ranging between 20 years and 85 years (median age ranging between 34.9 ± 4.9 years and 50.9 ± 16.6 years). In all studies, a positive relationship between CP and ED was reported. In four studies, odds ratio were reported, ranging between 1.53 and 3.35. From the literature reviewed, there seems to be a positive association between ED and CP; however, further well-designed controlled clinical trials are needed in this regard. It is emphasized that physicians should refer patients with ED to oral health care providers for a comprehensive oral evaluation and treatment.

Effects of strength training on body composition, physical functioning, and quality of life in prostate cancer patients during androgen deprivation therapy

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increases survival rates in prostate cancer (PCa) patients with locally advanced disease, but is associated with side effects that may impair daily function. Strength training may counteract several side effects of ADT, such as changes in body composition and physical functioning, which in turn may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, additional randomised controlled trials are needed to expand this knowledge.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-eight PCa patients on ADT were randomised to either 16 weeks of high-load strength training (n = 28) or usual care (n = 30). The primary outcome was change in total lean body mass (LBM) assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes were changes in regional LBM, fat mass, and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured by DXA; physical functioning assessed by 1-repetition maximum (1RM) tests, sit-to-stand test, stair climbing test and Shuttle walk test; and HRQOL as measured by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

No statistically significant effect of high-load strength training was demonstrated on total LBM (p = 0.16), but significant effects were found on LBM in the lower and upper extremities (0.49 kg, p < 0.01 and 0.15 kg, p < 0.05, respectively). Compared to usual care, high-load strength training showed no effect on fat mass, aBMD or HRQOL, but beneficial effects were observed in all 1RM tests, sit-to-stand test and stair climbing tests. Adherence to the training program was 88% for lower body exercises and 84% for upper body exercises. In summary, high-load strength training improved LBM in extremities and physical functioning, but had no effect on fat mass, aBMD, or HRQOL in PCa patients on ADT.

The perspective of prostate cancer patients and patients' partners on the psychological burden of androgen deprivation and the dyadic adjustment of prostate cancer couples

OBJECTIVE

Prostate cancer and its treatments, particularly androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), affect both patients and partners. This study assessed how prostate cancer treatment type, patient mood, and sexual function related to dyadic adjustment from patient and partner perspectives.

METHODS

Men with prostate cancer (n = 206) and partners of men with prostate cancer (n = 66) completed an online survey assessing the patients' mood (profile of mood states short form), their dyadic adjustment (dyadic adjustment scale), and sexual function (expanded prostate cancer index composite).

RESULTS

Analyses of covariance found that men on ADT reported better dyadic adjustment compared with men not on ADT. Erectile dysfunction was high for all patients, but a multivariate analysis of variance found that those on ADT experienced greater bother at loss of sexual function than patients not on ADT, suggesting that loss of libido when on ADT does not mitigate the psychological distress associated with loss of erections. In a multiple linear regression, patients' mood predicted their dyadic adjustment, such that worse mood was related to worse dyadic adjustment. However, more bother with patients' overall sexual function predicted lower relationship scores for the patients, while the patients' lack of sexual desire predicted lower dyadic adjustment for partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Both patients and partners are impacted by the prostate cancer treatment effects on patients' psychological and sexual function. Our data help clarify the way that prostate cancer treatments can affect relationships and that loss of libido on ADT does not attenuate distress about erectile dysfunction. Understanding these changes may help patients and partners maintain a co-supportive relationship. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The complex and multifactorial relationship between testosterone deficiency (TD), obesity and vascular disease

Testosterone deficiency (TD) is a well-established and recognized medical condition that contributes to several co-morbidities, including metabolic syndrome, visceral obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). More importantly, obesity is thought to contribute to TD. This complex bidirectional interplay between TD and obesity promotes a vicious cycle, which further contributes to the adverse effects of TD and obesity and may increase the risk of CVD. Testosterone (T) therapy for men with TD has been shown to be safe and effective in ameliorating the components of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) and in contributiong to increased lean body mass and reduced fat mass and therefore contributes to weight loss. We believe that appropriate T therapy in obese men with TD is a novel medical approach to manage obesity in men with TD. Indeed, other measures of lifestyle and behavioral changes can be used to augment but not fully replace this effective therapeutic approach. It should be noted that concerns regarding the safety of T therapy remain widely unsubstantiated and considerable evidence exists supporting the benefits of T therapy. Thus, it is paramount that clinicians managing obese men with TD be made aware of this novel approach to treatment of obesity. In this review, we discuss the relationship between TD and obesity and highlight the contemporary advancement in management of obesity with pharmacological and surgical approaches, as well as utilization of T therapy and how this intervention may evolve as a novel approach to treatment of obesity in men with TD .

Alternative treatment modalities for the hypogonadal patient

Testosterone (T) deficiency syndrome (TDS) is a prevalent condition, commonly managed with exogenous T. Despite an abundance of T formulations, alternative treatments are often sought for various reasons. To evaluate outcomes of alternative therapies, a PubMed search was performed of all publications that included men with TDS from 1990 through October 2013, with results summarized. Proposed mechanisms of action were also reviewed to provide a pathophysiologic basis for reported outcomes. Nonpharmacologic therapies that increase endogenous T are weight loss, exercise, and varicocelectomy, while medications used off-label include aromatase inhibitors, human chorionic gonadotropin, and selective estrogen receptor modulators. All reported therapies increase T, while changes in estradiol and adverse events vary by therapeutic class. Although limited data preclude direct comparisons between therapies, exercise and weight loss alone or in combination with medications may be considered first line. The role for surgical therapy in TDS remains undefined and requires further study.