Androgen Ablation Therapy

Synonyms

ADT; Androgen deprivation therapy; Androgen suppression therapy

Definition

Androgen ablation therapy is a therapeutic modality with the purpose of removing or reducing (ablating) male androgens – testosterone and dihydrotestosterone produced endogenously. This type of therapy is primarily used in metastatic prostate cancer, as opposed to localized disease where the tumor mass can be surgically removed. Procedures to reduce/remove endogenous androgens may include combinations of orchiectomy, antiandrogens, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists/antagonists in combinations with antiandrogens. Androgen receptor antagonists include flutamide, bicalutamide, and nilutamide.

Although classified as androgen ablaters, 5α-reductase inhibitors are approved primarily for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. 5α-reductase inhibitors also reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone by preventing its conversion from testosterone and include finasteride and dutasteride. Treatment for benign...