Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy Ups Cardiac Risks

Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for localized prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk for heart failure among men without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study.

The study found higher risks of arrhythmia and conduction disorder only among ADT recipients with pre-existing CVD.

The findings are from a prospective cohort study of 7637 men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer (PCa) who initially underwent active surveillance. Of these, 30% had received ADT. Compared with men not exposed to ADT, ADT recipients without pre-existing CVD had a significant 81% increased risk of heart failure, after adjusting for potential confounders, Reina Haque, PhD, MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California in Pasadena, and colleagues reported in the British Journal of Cancer (2017;117:1233-1240). Men with pre-existing CVD had a significant 44% increased risk of arrhythmia and 3-fold increased risk of conduction disorder.

Study participants received their PCa diagnoses during from 1998 to 2008 and were followed through 2010.

“This study provides the basis for identifying high-risk men treated with ADT who might benefit from regular cardiac monitoring and lifestyle modification recommendations,” the authors concluded.