Leuprolide acetate maintains QOL scores in prostate cancer patients despite worsening condition

Treatment with leuprolide acetate every 6 months does not elicit significant changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among prostate cancer (PC) patients despite substantial deterioration of body and role functions, a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a prospective longitudinal analysis of 55 PC patients (mean age 76.3±5.1 years), of whom 33 were given androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with leuprolide acetate, while 22 were treated with both ADT and radiotherapy. The primary outcome was HRQOL measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

At baseline, the mean QLQ-C30 score for QOL was 63.1±20.7 and statistically constant at 3 months (66.2±24.5; p=0.559), 6 months (63.4±23.8; p=0.940), and 12 months (59.9±23.1; p=0.570).

However, over the same time span, the researchers reported significant deteriorations in physical function, with QLQ scores dropping from 85.8±16.4 at baseline to 76.2±22.2 at 3 months, 73.5±26.6 at 6 months, and 73.2±24.1 at 12 months (p<0.001 for all).

Likewise, role function significantly deteriorated throughout the study period. Baseline score was 87.7±20.1 and decreased to 76.7±24.9 at 3 months (p=0.003), 79.2±27.0 at 6 months (p=0.017), and 73.3±29.0 at 12 months (p<0.001).

Moreover, the minimal change in QOL scores remained true despite increasing burden of hormonal treatment-related symptoms, the scores of which increased from 3.6±5.2 at baseline to 10.4±11.0 at 3 months, 11.0±10.5 at 6 months, and 9.6±11.7 at 12 months (p<0.001 for all).