[Hormonal and clinical efficacy of (D-Leu6)-des Gly-NH2(10)-LH.RH ethylamide against prostatic cancer].

The hormonal and clinical efficacy of (D-Leu6)-des Gly-NH2(10)-LH.RH ethylamide (Leuprolide, TAP 144) was investigated with 12 prostatic cancer patients. The hormonal studies were performed in 8 patients who were not previously treated by any hormonal therapies including estrogen, castration and others. Serum level of LH and FSH was apparently decreased at the end of 2 weeks after the starting of leuprolide (1 mg/day) subcutaneous injection. At the same time, testosterone level was decreased to the castration level. Clinical efficacy of 1 mg/day of leuprolide was evaluated in 7 patients who were not previously treated. Three of the 4 patients with stage B2 cancer showed a partial response and 1 patient a stable response; and 1 of the 3 patients with stage D2 cancer showed a partial response and patients stable a response. No significant side effects were observed in these 12 patients. These results show that 1 mg/day of leuprolide has the same degree of potency in decreasing the serum testosterone as 20 mg/day.