Suppression of Plasma Androgen Levels with a Combination Therapy of Depot-Estrogen (Turisteron^R) and Dexamethasone^R in Patients with Prostatic Cancer

Summary

Treatment of patients with prostatic cancer with a combination of 1–2 mg depot-estrogen (ethinylestradiol sulfonate = Turisteron^R) per week and 1 mg dexamethasone per day suppressed the mean testosterone (T) level to 2.8% (0.53 nmol/1), the free T to 0.8% (1.9 pmol/1) and the adrenal androgens (AA) — androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS) — to more than 40% of the initial values.

Treatment with Turisteron alone (2 mg per week) did not change the DHEA and DHEAS levels but decreased plasma A concentration to 65% (2.96 nmol/1) of the initial values.

Key words

Prostatic Cancer - Free Testosterone - Adrenal Androgens - Ethinylestradiol sulfonate - Dexamethasone