Testosterone suppression in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer - A Canadian consensus statement.

Testosterone suppression, achieved through orchiectomy or medically induced androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), is a standard treatment for men with recurrent and metastatic prostate cancer. Current assay methods demonstrate the capacity for testosterone suppression to <0.7 nmol/l, and clinical data support improved outcomes from ADT when lower levels are achieved. Practical clinical guidelines are warranted to facilitate adoption of 0.7 nmol/l as the new standard castrate testosterone level.A pan-Canadian group of experts, representing diverse clinical specialties, identified key clinical issues, searched and reviewed relevant literature, and developed consensus statements on testosterone suppression for the treatment of prostate cancer. The expert panel found that current evidence supports the clinical benefit of achieving low testosterone levels during ADT, and encourage adoption of ≤0.7 nmol/l as a new castrate level threshold. The panel recommends regular monitoring of testosterone (e.g., every 3-6 months) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels as clinically appropriate (e.g., every 3-6 months) during ADT, with reassessment of therapeutic strategy if testosterone is not suppressed or if PSA rises regardless of adequate testosterone suppression. The panel also emphasizes the need for greater awareness and education regarding testosterone assay specifications, and strongly promotes the use of mass spectrometry-based assays to ensure accurate measurement of testosterone at castrate levels.

Analysis of active surveillance uptake for low-risk localized prostate cancer in Canada: a Canadian multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: Although the uptake of active surveillance (AS) appears to be increasing in published series, the uptake in most geographic regions remains largely unknown. Our aim was to examine practice patterns around the use of AS in low-risk prostate cancer in Canada. In addition, we examined regional variations in AS uptake, predictors of AS uptake, and persistent use for 12 months. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicentre review of low-risk patients who underwent a prostate biopsy in 2010 in six centres in four provinces (BC, QC, MB and ON). AS was identified based on chart review and required a minimum of 6 months of follow-up after diagnosis without any active treatment. RESULTS: Of 986 patients, 781 patients (mean age 64 years) were incident cases and over three-quarters (77.3 %) chose AS at diagnosis. There were significant differences in uptake of AS by centre (range 65.0-98.0 %, p ≤ 0.05). Key multivariate predictors of pursuing AS included older age (OR 1.34, p = 0.044), centre (p = 0.021), lower number of cores (OR 1.09, p = 0.025), lower number of positive biopsy cores (OR 0.52, p < 0.001), and lower percent core involvement (OR 0.84, p < 0.001). In total, 516 (85.4 %) men remained on AS over 12 months. Maintenance with AS over 12 months differed by centre, ranging from 64.1 to 93.9 % (p = 0.001). Predictors of maintenance with AS over 12 months included older age, centre, and lower number of positive cores. CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance is widely practiced across Canada, but important regional differences were observed. Further analyses are required to understand the root causes of differences and to determine whether AS uptake is changing over time.

A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison of controlled- and immediate-release oxybutynin chloride in urge urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new PO controlled-release (CR) QD oxybutynin tablet relative to PO immediate-release (IR) TID oxybutynin in patients with urge urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind trial, patients with UI (> or = 7 episode/wk) and frequency (> or = 8 micturitions/d) were randomized to CR or IR oxybutynin for 6 weeks. Patients initiated treatment at 15 mg/d and the dose was adjusted (in 5-mg/d increments) over 2 weeks according to tolerability. Efficacy (UI episodes, voids, absorbent pads used, urgency, and volume voided per micturition) was assessed during the final 2 weeks of treatment. Tolerability was assessed by evaluating adverse events and treatment withdrawals. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients randomized, 94 (75%) were evaluable for efficacy; tolerability was assessed in all patients. In the CR group, 48 patients (91%) were women and 5 (9%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 58.0 (12.4) years (range, 26-78 years). In the IR group, 37 patients (90%) were women and 4 (10%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 60.6 (14.8) years (range, 26-83 years). Both CR and IR oxybutynin significantly reduced the mean number of total UI episodes per week (both P < 0.001 vs baseline). Both treatments produced equivalent reductions in mean voiding frequency and urinary urgency (all P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Significantly more patients rated CR oxybutynin tolerable on the initial dose of 15 mg/d (P = 0.020) and completed the study at a dose of > or = 15 mg/d (P = 0.018). Dry mouth was the most common adverse event, reported by 68% and 72% of patients in the CR and IR oxybutynin groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with urge UI included in this study, CR oxybutynin was as effective as IR oxybutynin for improving primary symptoms, with the additional benefit of QD administration.