Dr. Crawford on LHRH Agonists and GNRH Antagonists

E. David Crawford, MD, professor, urology, radiation oncology, University of Colorado Denver, discusses the differences between an LHRH agonist and a GNRH antagonist as treatments for men with prostate cancer.

LHRH agonists are a compound which, when injected, a patient's testosterone increases before decreasing because it agonizes the receptor and creates an opposite effect, Crawford explains. LHRH agonists desensitize the receptors over time.

However, an antagonist is ideal, Crawford adds, because it simply shuts down the LH and FSH hormones. There are approximately 10 to 15 advantages for an antagonist over an agonist, he says. However, a disadvantage is an antagonist requires monthly dosing. Other side effects associated with antagonists include renal and cardiovascular failure and alkaline phosphatase reduction.

Crawford says further data is needed to determine whether GNRH antagonists demonstrate better outcomes in patients.

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