The introduction of maximal androgen blockade as a clinical therapy by Brachi and Labrie more than a decade ago led to a huge controversy on the clinical use of antiandrogens in the treatment of prostate cancer. Three consensus meetings were subsequently organized with the support of the American Cancer Society, the Urological Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the International Prostate Health Council. The first results of the meta-analysis of 22 trials did not put an end to the controversy, however, and clinicians were left confused by conflicting reports published by dozens of experts. The meeting behind the present volume created a forum for the scientists who developed the drugs and specialist clinicians to produce a consensus. The result is an overview of the field, condensed from hundreds of publications. The information has been updated to provide precise clinical indications for the use of antiandrogens in combination treatments and monotherapy for the individual patient. We hope that this team effort will facilitate ongoing discussions and lead to improved patient care as well as increased knowledge of the drugs that are so vital to our patients' quality of life and survival.

Klappentext

The European School of Oncology came into existence to respond to a need for information, education and training in the field of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There are two main reasons :o/hy such an initiative was considered necessary. Firstly, the teaching of oncology requires a rigorously multidisciplinary approach which is difficult for the Universities to put into practice since their system is mainly disciplinary orientated. Secondly, the rate of technological development that impinges on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been so rapid that it is not an easy task for medical faculties to adapt their curricula flexibly. With its residential courses for organ pathologies and the seminars on new techniques (laser, monoclonal antibodies, imaging techniques etc.) or on the principal therapeutic controversies (conservative or mutilating surgery, primary or adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy alone or integrated), it is the ambition of the European School of Oncology to fill a cultural and scientific gap and, thereby, create a bridge between the University and Industry and between these two and daily medical practice. One of the more recent initiatives of ESO has been the institution of permanent study groups, also called task forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly reaching a consensus on future developments in specific fields of oncology.

Inhalt

Some Aspects of the Molecular Endocrinology of Prostatic Cancer.- Pharmacology of Cyproterone Acetate - A Short Review.- Cyproterone Acetate - Results of Clinical Trials and Indications for Use in Human Prostate Cancer.- Biological Properties of Flutamide.- Combination Therapy with Flutamide: The Therapy of Choice from Early to Advanced Stages of Prostate Cancer.- Casodex: Preclinical Studies.- Clinical Aspects of Casodex.- Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Nilutamide in Animal and Man.- A Review of the Clinical Studies with Nilutamide.- Indications for Antiandrogen Treatment in Prostate Cancer.