Factors influencing prostate-specific antigen response among men treated with testosterone therapy for 6 months

Abraham Morgentaler, Janet A. Benesh, Bela S. Denes, Natalia Kan-Dobrosky, Diala Harb, Michael G. Miller

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41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Factors influencing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes in men undergoing testosterone (T) therapy have not been well studied. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected variables on PSA changes in hypogonadal men administered with 1.62% testosterone gel (T-gel) for 6 months. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 274 (234 T-gel, 40 placebo) hypogonadal men >18 years of age, with baseline T concentrations <300ng/dL, PSA≤2.5ng/mL, and negative digital rectal examination. Subjects received once-daily T-gel for T therapy. Main Outcome Measures: Changes in mean serum PSA, percentage of free PSA (%fPSA), and T from baseline to 6 months (182 days). Results: Mean age was 53.5 years and baseline mean values were total T 247ng/dL, PSA 0.9ng/mL, and %fPSA 24.6%. Among men treated with T-gel, T increased to 499ng/dL and PSA increased by 0.1ng/mL (P=0.0012). PSA increased ≥0.3ng/mL in 26.3%, <0.3ng/mL in 73.7%, including a decline from baseline in 33.0%. In the placebo group, T increased 29ng/dL to 274ng/dL, and PSA decreased 0.1ng/mL, compared with baseline. A greater increase in PSA was noted in men ≥60 years old than in men <60 years old (0.4 vs. 0.05ng/mL, respectively; P=0.0006). Mean PSA did not change in men with baseline serum T>250ng/dL, whereas it increased by 0.2ng/mL in men with T≤250ng/dL (P=0.0031). PSA increased 0.3ng/mL in men with baseline %fPSA<20% and 0.1ng/mL in men with %fPSA≥20%. Conclusions: Overall, T-gel treatment was associated with a minor increase in PSA, of questionable clinical significance. Factors predicting greater PSA increases included age ≥60 years, baseline T≤250ng/dL, and %fPSA<20%. Men with T>250ng/dL and age <60 years demonstrated minimal or no PSA change. Morgentaler A, Benesh JA, Denes BS, Kan-Dobrosky N, Harb D, and Miller MG. Factors influencing prostate-specific antigen response among men treated with testosterone therapy for 6 months.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2818-2825
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Sexual Medicine
Volume11
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Keywords

  • Androgens
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Testosterone

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