Serum testosterone before and during androgen-deprivation therapy, and prognosis between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers with metastatic prostate cancer

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is suggested to influence androgen milieu, which is closely associated with pathogenesis and prognosis of prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the association between serum testosterone level before or during androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) as well as prognoses and cigarette smoking status among men with metastatic prostate cancer. Serum testosterone level before ADT in current smokers (n = 6, median [interquartile range, IQR]; 454 ng/ml [426-478 ng/ml]) was significantly higher than that in nonsmokers (n = 26, median [IQR]; 397 ng/ml [312-435 ng/ml]). Serum testosterone level during ADT in current smokers (n = 7, median [IQR]; 7 ng/ml [3-11 ng/ml]) was comparable with that in nonsmokers (n = 55, median [IQR]; 9 ng/ml [3-20 ng/ml]). Progression-free survival and overall survival were comparable between current smokers and nonsmokers when adjusted with serum testosterone level before ADT or during ADT. These results suggest adequate pharmacological effect of ADT, even in current smokers. However, serum testosterone level before ADT was higher in current smokers. Thus, we need to interpret serum testosterone level in current smokers with caution.

Keywords: cigarette; prostate cancer; smoking; testosterone.