Objectives: It has been hypothesized that continuous androgen-suppression therapy produces hyperactivation of neuroendocrine (NE) cells and an increase in chromogranin A (CgA) in prostate carcinoma (PC). The aim of this study was to verify whether the intermittent administration of androgen deprivation (IAD) reduces the risk of CgA increase in PC cases treated with complete androgen deprivation (CAD).
Materials and methods: We analyzed changes in serum CgA levels in patients with PC who successfully responded to the first 24 months of IAD versus continuous CAD therapy. Two different populations were analyzed: Type 1 = pT3pN0M0 prostate cancers with biochemical (PSA) progression after RRP; Type 2 = metastatic PC directly submitted to CAD. Cases in Type 1 and Type 2 population were randomly assigned to IAD versus continuous CAD therapy. Forty cases each in Type 1 and Type 2 population were included in the analysis. At 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months of IAD versus continuous therapy, serum levels of CgA compared to PSA levels were analyzed.
Results: In population Type 1 and Type 2, in the group of cases continuously treated with CAD (Group 2), there was a significant trend to increase for CgA levels from baseline to 24 months of therapy. On the contrary, no significant variations were found in cases treated with IAD (Group 1). Either in population Type 1 or Type 2, at 12- and 24-month follow-up, mean and median serum levels of CgA were significantly (P < 0.005) lower in Group 1 than in Group 2.
Conclusions: The present study represents the first evidence in the literature that the intermittent administration of CAD therapy significantly reduces the increase in serum CgA levels during CAD therapy.
Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.