Impacts of leuprolide acetate on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer: a prospective multicenter study

Impact of Relugolix Versus Leuprolide on the Quality of Life of Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer: Results from the Phase 3 HERO Study

BACKGROUND

Relugolix, an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist, demonstrated testosterone suppression to castrate levels in men with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) in the HERO study. Since advanced PCa and its treatments can impact patients' daily life, it is imperative to understand the impact of systemic therapy on patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

OBJECTIVE

To report the HRQOL for patients on relugolix compared with those on leuprolide in on-treatment and testosterone recovery periods of the HERO study.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A phase 3 randomized controlled study was conducted in 934 patients with advanced PCa.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent 2:1 randomization and received relugolix 120 mg orally once daily or leuprolide 3-mo injections for 48 wk. Testosterone recovery was evaluated in a patient subset.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

HRQOL evaluations were based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Prostate Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-PR25) during treatment and testosterone recovery phases. In a post hoc analysis, predictors of HRQOL deterioration were evaluated.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in changes from baseline to the end of treatment in either the EORTC QLQ-C30 or the EORTC QLQ-PR25 instrument. During the testosterone recovery phase, hormonal treatment-related symptoms scores were lower for relugolix than for leuprolide, suggesting a lower burden of hormone-related symptoms associated with a treatment that has more rapid testosterone recovery after treatment cessation. Limitations include low patient numbers in the testosterone recovery group.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral relugolix is a therapeutic option with similar patient-reported HRQOL to leuprolide, providing an oral option for androgen deprivation therapy associated with a more rapid testosterone reduction.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In men with advanced prostate cancer, relugolix had similar health-related quality of life to leuprolide.

Effects of leuprolide acetate on the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer: A prospective longitudinal cohort study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with prostate cancer (PC) and compare the changes in the HRQOL between ADT alone and ADT plus intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Materials and methods

Patients with PC were prospectively recruited between October 2018 and April 2020. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and the PC-specific module (PR25) were administered before ADT (baseline) and at 3, 6, and 12 months after ADT. All patients received subcutaneous injections of 45 mg leuprolide acetate at 6-month intervals for 12 months.

Results

Fifty-five of the 71 patients (77.5%) completed the 12-month study. Twenty-two of the 55 patients received IMRT. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics with respect to IMRT. Compared with baseline, physical function and role function deteriorated after 3 months (p = 0.003, p = 0.019). However, the global quality of life (QOL) did not change over time. The symptom scales of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire indicated that there was a statistically significant deterioration in dyspnea and fatigue symptoms at 12 months (p = 0.004, p = 0.004). Responses to the QLQ-PR25 revealed that patients experienced an increase in hormonal treatment-related symptoms after 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.004). Comparisons between the ADT group and ADT plus IMRT group showed that body function and role function did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.815, p = 0.759), and there was also no difference in global QOL (p = 0.624).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that treatment with leuprolide acetate at 6-month intervals was not accompanied by changes in global QOL, despite deterioration of body and role functions and hormonal treatment-related symptoms. The combination of ADT and IMRT did not lead to additional deterioration in the HRQOL.

Clinical studies investigating the use of leuprorelin for prostate cancer in Asia

Background

Leuprorelin is a well-established treatment for prostate cancer (PCa); however, there is limited information on its use in Asian males. This review of English language publications between January 2000 and 2016 describes the outcomes of clinical trials on leuprorelin in Asian males with PCa of any grade, stage, or histopathology.

Methods

The literature search was undertaken using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases.

Results

We identified nine studies from Japan, two studies from South Korea, and one international, multisite study which included Asian sites, with a total of 1,652 males previously diagnosed with PCa. All studies included subcutaneous or depot administration of leuprorelin at varying dose levels including 3.75 mg four weekly, 11.25 mg 12 weekly, or 22.5 mg every 12 or 24 weeks. Leuprorelin was administered as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Leuprorelin appears well tolerated in Asian males and is effective in reducing serum testosterone to castration levels (<50 ng/dL (<1.7 nmol/L)) and prostate-specific antigen levels. Common adverse events included hot flushes and mild hepatic dysfunction. Leuprorelin was shown to provide reasonable survival rates in PCa (T1b-T3N0M0) and in metastatic disease; another reasonable option for these patients is radiation therapy. Leuprorelin treatment also improved the quality of life.

Conclusion

Leuprorelin may be an appropriate and efficacious treatment for males with PCa (T1b-T3N0M0). Leuprorelin treatment was well tolerated and associated with improvement in the quality of life.

Attenuation of Metabolic Syndrome by EPA/DHA Ethyl Esters in Testosterone-Deficient Obese Rats

Inducing testosterone deficiency, as the standard treatment of prostate cancer, may cause metabolic disorders including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, central obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. This study measured responses to testosterone deficiency in high-carbohydrate, high-fat (H) diet-fed rats. We then tested whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl esters (Omacor) reversed these metabolic changes. Male Wistar rats (8–9 weeks old) were divided into eight groups with four groups fed corn starch and four groups fed H diet. For each diet, one group received diet only; one group was orchidectomized; one group was given leuprolide (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, 2 mg/kg every 4th week); and the last group was treated with leuprolide and their diet was supplemented with 3% Omacor for the last eight weeks. The protocol was for 16 weeks. Leuprolide worsened metabolic syndrome symptoms and cardiovascular function, and orchidectomy produced greater responses. In H fed leuprolide-treated rats, Omacor decreased systolic blood pressure and left ventricular diastolic stiffness, reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition in the heart, and reduced lipid accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration without improving liver damage. These results suggest that Omacor has potential to attenuate metabolic complications in prostate cancer patients with induced testosterone deprivation.

Integrative review on the non-invasive management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men following treatments for pelvic malignancies

AIM

To develop a non-invasive management strategy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after treatment for pelvic cancer, that is suitable for use in a primary healthcare context.

METHODS

PubMed literature searches of LUTS management in this patient group were carried out, together with obtaining a consensus of management strategies from a panel of authors for the management of LUTS from across the UK.

RESULTS

Data from 41 articles were investigated and collated. Clinical experience was sought from authors where there was no clinical evidence. The findings discussed in this paper confirm that LUTS after the cancer treatment can significantly impair men's quality of life. While many men recover from LUTS spontaneously over time, a significant proportion require long-term management. Despite the prevalence of LUTS, there is a lack of consensus on best management. This article offers a comprehensive treatment algorithm to manage patients with LUTS following pelvic cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION

Based on published research literature and clinical experience, recommendations are proposed for the standardisation of management strategies employed for men with LUTS after the pelvic cancer treatment. In addition to implementing the algorithm, understanding the rationale for the type and timing of LUTS management strategies is crucial for clinicians and patients.

Quality of life of 1276 elderly patients with prostate cancer, starting treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist: results of a French observational study

This French observational, longitudinal, prospective study described the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of elderly men (≥75 years old) with prostate cancer after initiating gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy. At baseline and 3-6 months after baseline, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-C30) and prostate-specific (QLQ-PR25) questionnaires were completed by patients. Data from 1276 patients were analyzed. At baseline, mean (±SD) age was 80 (±4.1) years, 29.1% of patients had Gleason scores ≥8 and 24.9% had metastases. At baseline, increasing age, presence of metastasis and presence of comorbidity had a negative impact on QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25 scores. At follow-up, improvement in emotional-functioning (2.8; p < 0.001), social-functioning (1.7; p = 0.011), global HRQoL (1.6; p = 0.029), sleep-disturbance (-2.1; p = 0.011), appetite-loss (-4.0; p < 0.001) and pain (-4.1; p < 0.001) QLQ-C30 scores were observed. In addition, there was a worsening in treatment-related symptom (8.6; p < 0.001), sexual-activity (-5.5; p < 0.001) and sexual-functioning (-22.6; p < 0.001) QLQ-PR25 scores, and an improvement in urinary symptoms (-3.7; p < 0.001) and incontinence aid (-2.9; p = 0.023) QLQ-PR25 scores. This study shows that, apart from the expected impact on sexual functioning domains, HRQoL is not adversely affected by 3-6 months of GnRH agonist therapy in older men with prostate cancer.

Is high-dose leuprorelin acetate effective and safe in asian men with prostate cancer? An open-label, non-comparative, multi-center clinical trial

PURPOSE

Leuprorelin is a well known luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist. However, there are insufficient data on the efficacy and safety of high dose leuprorelin acetate, especially in Asian patients with prostate cancer. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of leuprorelin acetate 22.5 mg administered at three-month intervals in patients with prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In an open, prospective clinical trial enrolling 47 patients, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of leuprorelin acetate 22.5 mg in treating patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the leuprorelin acetate 22.5 mg in producing and maintaining castration levels of testosterone over a 6-month follow-up period and to determine its safety profile.

RESULTS

All 42 patients achieved serum testosterone levels within the castration range by 4 weeks. A breakthrough response was observed in one of 36 patients by 8 weeks. However, this patient was medically castrated by 12 weeks. There were no significant prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or testosterone changes according to clinical stage or body mass index. Twenty adverse events (AEs) in 15 of 42 patients (35.7%) were observed during this study. The most common AEs were hot flushes (n=4, 20.0%) with mild intensity, pain (n=2, 10.0%), and infection (n=2, 10.0%). No patient withdrew from the study due to AEs.

CONCLUSION

Leuprorelin acetate 22.5 mg was shown to be effective and safe in Asian patients with prostate cancer, even though sexual function decreased.

Leuprolide acetate 1-, 3- and 6-monthly depot formulations in androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer in nine European countries: evidence review and economic evaluation

Objective

Leuprolide is an established luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist used as first-line treatment in advanced prostate cancer. As different formulations and dosing schedules are likely to have economic implications, we aimed to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and costs in nine European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal.

Methods

Database searches identified 13 clinical trials of leuprolide 1- (1 M), 3- (3 M) and 6-monthly (6 M). Only data on leuprolide with Atrigel were compared for all three formulations, which had the same efficacy, safety, and adherence. Cost-minimization analysis accounting for cost of Eligard®, specialist consultations, and diagnostics during up to 12 months follow-up was conducted. The perspective was that of public payers.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the percentages of intention-to-treat patients achieving testosterone levels ≤ 50 ng/dL following treatment with Eligard® 1 M (93.3%), 3 M (98.3%), and 6 M (97.3%) (P > 0.05), and adverse event profiles of the three formulations were comparable. Overall, 6 M was the least expensive, with average total annual costs from €788 (Belgium) to €1839 (Portugal). The 3 M option was between 2.5% (Hungary) and 37.6% (Belgium) more expensive than 6 M; 1 M formulation was the most expensive, with costs 15.5% and 151.6% more expensive than 6 M for those countries, respectively. The 3 M option was 11.2%–45.3% less expensive than 1 M. Total costs were associated with frequency of visits for injection and monitoring. The 1 M required twelve visits, 3 M 4.4–4.8 visits, and 6 M 2.1–2.3 visits. Up to 50% additional visits could be funded with the savings resulting from switching eligible patients from 1 M and 3 M to 6 M. Results were stable in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Eligard® formulations offer comparable efficacy and safety, but different dosing schedules require different number of visits. The 6 M formulation offers the greatest cost savings and should be considered the treatment of choice in eligible patients in Europe.