The Case for Androgen Deprivation as Primary Therapy for Early Stage Disease: Results From J-CaP and CaPSURE™

Purpose: We analyzed the outcome of primary androgen depletion therapy, which has gained more attention as a potential therapeutic option in patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer as it has been increasingly implemented despite limited data on its therapeutic impact in Japan and the United States. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from CaPSURE™ and the Japanese Prostate Cancer study. Results: In Japan primary androgen depletion therapy has long been the treatment of choice for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. Based on CaPSURE™ data the frequency of primary androgen depletion therapy being chosen to treat localized and locally advanced disease is also increasing in clinical practice in the United States. A study of the outcomes of endocrine therapy is currently being performed in Japan by the Japanese Prostate Cancer Study Group. Conclusions: It is important to obtain such information about the role of primary androgen depletion therapy for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer from studies of natural history and clinical trials. It is also important to update practical treatment guidelines.