Buserelin treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma. Long-term follow-up of antitumor responses and improved quality of life.

The safety and efficacy of buserelin, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist, was tested in 33 evaluable patients with Stages C or D adenocarcinoma of the prostate. With a minimum follow-up duration of 10 months, there was one complete response and 22 partial responses (69%) by National Prostatic Cancer Project criteria, with a median duration greater than 18 months. Six patients (18%) had stable disease, median duration greater than 25 months, and only 12 patients have progressed. Performance status improved in 67%, patient-scored pain improved in 75%, and quality of life improved in 58%. Symptoms occurring during treatment consisted of hot flashes, loss of libido, and impotence. Buserelin produces a high frequency of durable objective and subjective responses in patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.