前立腺癌に対する(D-Leu6)-des Gly-NH210-LH・RH ethylamide (Leuprolide)の臨床効果

Abstract

The clinical efficacy of (D-Leu6)-des Gly-NH2(10)-LH X RH ethylamide (Leuprolide) against prostatic cancer was evaluated at the end of twelve weeks of administration of a daily dose of 20 mg subcutaneous injection to 22 patients with prostatic cancer. Of these 22 patients, 19 were previously non-treated and 3 had reactivated cancer. Complete regression was obtained in all patients with stage B or C cancer. Also, in 5 out of 12 previously non-treated patients with stage D cancer, Leuprolide administration proved to be effective for controlling prostatic cancer. However, Leuprolide therapy produced only stable effects at best in 3 patients who had reactivated cancer. It has no side effect and should be recommended as a drug of first choice in the treatment of previously non-treated prostatic cancer. It can be assumed from the present studies that the efficacy of this agent against prostatic cancer is mainly the result of its inhibitory effect on hypothalamo-pituitary testicular system, i.e., a medical castration effect.