Antiandrogens in Prostate Cancer / ESO Monographs (PDF)

The introduction of maximal androgen blockade as a clinical therapy by Brachi and Labrie more than a decade ago led to a huge controversy on the clinical use of antiandrogens in the treatment of prostate cancer. Three consensus meetings were subsequently organized with the support of the American Cancer Society, the Urological Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the International Prostate Health Council. The first results of the meta-analysis of 22 trials did not put an end to the controversy, however, and clinicians were left confused by conflicting reports published by dozens of experts. The meeting behind the present volume created a forum for the scientists who developed the drugs and specialist clinicians to produce a consensus. The result is an overview of the field, condensed from hundreds of publications. The information has been updated to provide precise clinical indications for the use of antiandrogens in combination treatments and monotherapy for the individual patient. We hope that this team effort will facilitate ongoing discussions and lead to improved patient care as well as increased knowledge of the drugs that are so vital to our patients' quality of life and survival.