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The promiscuous receptor
Author(s) -
NewsomDavis Thomas E.,
Kenny Laura M.,
Ngan Sarah,
King Judith,
Waxman Jonathan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2009.08599.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , vitamin d and neurology , prostate cancer , prostate specific antigen , cancer , vitamin , urology , oncology , gastroenterology
OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D therapy in patients with asymptomatic, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐progression of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty‐six patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer were treated with vitamin D. Vitamin D therapy was discontinued on disease progression as assessed by symptoms or serum PSA increase. The response to therapy was judged from changes in PSA level from the pretreatment baseline to 3 months after starting vitamin D therapy. RESULTS Of the 26 patients, five (20%) responded to vitamin D; the mean (range) reduction in PSA level was 45.3 (15.9–95.1)%, and mean duration of response was 4–5 months. Patients in whom the PSA level was stabilized, but not reduced, after vitamin D treatment had a duration of response of up to 36 months. Treatment was well tolerated and was not associated with elevation of serum calcium levels. There was no significant correlation between response to therapy and stage of disease, Gleason grade, previous treatments or PSA level at diagnosis or initiation of vitamin D therapy. CONCLUSION Vitamin D therapy is an effective and well tolerated treatment for patients with asymptomatic progressive prostate cancer, and is a useful addition to the therapeutic options.