GnRH analogues
Last reviewed 12/2022
Luteinising hormone releasing hormone agonists are agents used in the hormonal modulation of malignant and benign diseases including:
- prostatic carcinoma
- breast carcinoma
- endometriosis
These agents may cause an initial stimulation in the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) resulting in a "flare" in symptoms in patients with symptomatic prostatic cancer during the first 1-2 weeks of treatment.
After 1-2 weeks pituitary gonadotrophin secretion is down-regulated leading to inhibition of ovarian and testicular sex hormone production.
If a tumour flare is likely to cause problems e.g. spinal cord compression, then an antiandrogen should also be given at least 3 days before the LHRH agonist and continued concurrently for three weeks.