Interestingly after several years of LHRH therapy the testes turn off and the medication may be discontinued for a period of time without or very delayed return of testosterone levels. There is some data that supports the use of high does Casodex as monotherapy. In an attempt to improve results there are several research protocols being done to assess the use of early chemotherapy combined with androgen blockade. Chemotherapy has in general not had excellent results in late stage prostate cancer, but searches for an active combination continues. These trials are frequently in combination with Combined Androgen Blockade.
Occasional patients respond well.
Trials with taxotere or tamoxiphen sometimes combined with estramustine have also shown responses in a significant number of patients. Thalidomide is also under study. There are many clinical trials with other drugs being carried out at many centers including ours. Estrogens , or female hormones not only suppress the production of testosterone but also have a negative effect on prostate cancer cells and are sometimes used in cases of hormone resistant cancer or sometimes as early therapy. Unfortunately, high dose estrogens have been shown to cause increased blood clotting, leading to clots, heart attacks, strokes and vascular accidents.