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Androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer includes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, such as leuprolide and goserelin, and oral antiandrogens, such as flutamide and bicalutamide. Several recent studies have suggested that these drugs are associated with excess risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In a new observational study, researchers examined data on 37,000 men who were treated for prostate cancer within the Veterans Administration health system. Nearly 40% received androgen-deprivation therapy (mostly GnRH agonists). In analyses adjusted for potentially confounding factors, GnRH-agonist monotherapy was associated with significant excess risk for new-onset diabetes (hazard ratio, 1.28), myocardial infarctio…