LHRH agonist + iodine-125

This combination treatment protocol, evaluated in a Phase III trial (NCT00664456) by the Translational Research Center for Medical Innovation in Kobe, Japan, is designed for patients with untreated intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The regimen involves neoadjuvant hormonal therapy using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, such as goserelin or leuprorelin, followed by permanent iodine-125 (I-125) brachytherapy. LHRH agonists function by initially stimulating and then desensitizing the GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland, leading to a profound reduction in testosterone levels, which starves the androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. The subsequent I-125 implantation provides targeted, low-dose-rate internal radiation to the tumor site, inducing DNA damage and cell death. The trial specifically investigated the efficacy of this combination with or without additional adjuvant LHRH therapy.

Other names

Neoadjuvant LHRH-agonist therapy and permanent I-125 implantationLHRH agonist + I-125 brachytherapyNeoadjuvant LHRH-agonist therapy and I-125 implantation