The role of increased prolactin levels under GnRH analogue treatment in advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The role of prolactin in the progress of prostatic carcinoma still is obscure. It is known to modulate testosterone metabolism and may have a prognostic value in determining disease progression. Prolonged treatment with a GnRH analogue has been introduced recently as a therapeutic alternative to surgical castration in advanced prostatic carcinoma. It has been reported that prolactin levels remain unchanged or even decrease in GnRH analogue treatment. By contrast, in this series of 15 prostatic carcinoma patients treated with GnRH analogue, a significant rise was demonstrated in clinical responders as well as nonresponders. In the latter group, prolactin rise was more pronounced. These results suggest that frequent prolactin determinations might be of prognostic value in determining early disease progression under GnRH analogue treatment.