A dramatic, objective antiandrogen withdrawal response: case report and review of the literature
2008

Dramatic Response to Stopping Antiandrogen Treatment in Prostate Cancer

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Lau Yiu-Keung, Chadha Manpreet K, Litwin Alan, Trump Donald L

Primary Institution: West Virginia University; Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Hypothesis

Can discontinuing the antiandrogen agent bicalutamide lead to significant improvements in prostate cancer patients?

Conclusion

The case demonstrates a significant and sustained decline in PSA levels and radiologic improvement after stopping bicalutamide in a patient with metastatic prostate cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient's PSA levels dropped significantly after stopping bicalutamide.
  • Imaging showed a remarkable reduction in cancerous adenopathy after treatment cessation.
  • The patient maintained a good clinical status for an extended period following the withdrawal.

Takeaway

When a patient with prostate cancer stopped taking a certain medication, their cancer markers improved a lot, showing that sometimes stopping a treatment can help.

Methodology

The case study involved monitoring PSA levels and imaging studies before and after the discontinuation of bicalutamide.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

The patient was a 75-year-old African American man.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-8722-1-21

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