Androgen suppression by a gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

Leuprolide is a new, potent analogue of gonadotropin releasing hormone, which lowers serum gonadotropins and testosterone with chronic administration. Thirty patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate have undergone primary endocrine treatment with leuprolide. Subjective and objective response rates appear to be equal to alternative endocrine therapy, although the mean response duration has not been defined to date. Since castration and the side effects of oral estrogens are avoided leuprolide may prove to be the preferred initial hormonal therapy for selected patients with metastatic prostatic cancer.