Estrogen and Prostate Cancer

The presence of a certain level of estrogen in men is essential for normal health and function. However, traditional Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer by surgical or pharmacological castration deprives men of not just testosterone, but also estrogen. Side effects of loss of estrogen include hot flashes, interrupted sleep, fatigue, and weight gain.   

The recently reported PATCH trial has reintroduced estrogen as an effective agent in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate. Estrogen therapy also avoids or eases these side effects for most men. The PATCH study looked at transdermal estradiol (tE2) ADT that suppresses testosterone and reduces PSA, but has fewer adverse effects and significantly lower costs than ADT via LHRH agonists (ex: Luperon, Eligard).

The SURF Foundation is underwriting research to support the tE2 therapy through the Estradiol Initiative. Its mission is to educate patients and clinicians about the benefits and risks of using transdermal estradiol (tE2) for men receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. The Initiative hopes to secure FDA and NCCN approval for tE2 ADT as a Standard of Care for these patients.

Read more about the PATCH study and the Estradiol Initiative here.

Visit the Estradiol Initiative website.