Editorial Comment on: New treatment approaches for prostate cancer based on peptide analogues

Abstract

receiving hormonal therapy are more likely to develop diabetes and more likely to be admitted to hospital for myocardial infarction (MI), or chest pain [2]. Trials utilizing various clinical protocols to discern whether intermittent hormone therapy is as efficacious as, or better than, continuous therapy with respect to the development of hormone-resistant prostate cancer, ultimate patient survival, and the quality of life are ongoing. SWOG trial 9346, which evaluates intermittent versus continuous hormone therapy in patients with metastatic disease, is an ongoing study that will hopefully help elucidate this issue. Therefore, ideal treatment with targeted chemotherapy, i.e., with cytotoxic analogues of LHRH, cytoxic somatostatin, and/or BN/GRP, would be welcomed. These authors demonstrate their expertise in this challenging arena. Their research epitomizes the goals of translational research. As the authors point out, targeted cytotoxic analogues in the treatment of advanced prostate cancers is an unmet challenge at this time. With their expertise in this area of investigative research, hopefully the agents under investigation can be positioned to play an increasing role, not only in treatment following relapse, but in primary therapy as well.