Combining Radiation Therapy and Androgen Deprivation for Localized Prostate Cancer—A Critical Review

Interest has been increasing in the use of androgen deprivation therapy (adt) combined with radiation therapy (rt) in the management of localized prostate cancer. Preclinical studies have provided some rationale for the use of this combination. In patients with high-risk disease, the benefit of a combined approach, with the addition of adjuvant hormonal therapy, is supported by results of randomized trials. In contrast, for patients with low-risk disease, there is no obvious therapeutic advantage except for cytoreduction. The usefulness of short-term hormonal therapy in association with rt for intermediate-risk patients is still debatable, particularly in the context of dose-escalated rt. The optimal timing and duration of adt, in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings alike, are still under investigation. In view of the potential side effects with adt, further studies are being performed to better identify subsets of patients who will definitely benefit from this therapy in combination with rt.