Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on prostate tissue in men with late-onset hypogonadism: A randomized controlled trial

Leonard S. Marks, Norman A. Mazer, Elahe Mostaghel, David L. Hess, Frederick J. Dorey, Jonathan I. Epstein, Robert W. Veltri, Danil V. Makarov, Alan W. Partin, David G. Bostwick, Maria Luz Macairan, Peter S. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

307 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Prostate safety is a primary concern when aging men receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), but little information is available regarding the effects of TRT on prostate tissue in men. Objective: To determine the effects of TRT on prostate tissue of aging men with low serum testosterone levels. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 44 men, aged 44 to 78 years, with screening serum testosterone levels lower than 300 ng/dL (<10.4 nmol/L) and related symptoms, conducted at a US community-based research center between February 2003 and November 2004. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to receive 150 mg of testosterone enanthate or matching placebo intramuscularly every 2 weeks for 6 months. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the 6-month change in prostate tissue androgen levels (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone). Secondary outcome measures included 6-month changes in prostate-related clinical features, histology, biomarkers, and epithelial cell gene expression. Results: Of the 44 men randomized, 40 had prostate biopsies performed both at baseline and at 6 months and qualified for per-protocol analysis (TRT, n=21; placebo, n=19). Testosterone replacement therapy increased serum testosterone levels to the midnormal range (median at baseline, 282 ng/dL [9.8 nmol/L]; median at 6 months, 640 ng/dL [22.2 nmol/L]) with no significant change in serum testosterone levels in matched, placebo-treated men. However, median prostate tissue levels of testosterone (0.91 ng/g) and dihydrotestosterone (6.79 ng/g) did not change significantly in the TRT group. No treatment-related change was observed in prostate histology, tissue biomarkers (androgen receptor, Ki-67, CD34), gene expression (including AR, PSA, PAP2A, VEGF, NXK3, CLU [Clusterin]), or cancer incidence or severity. Treatment-related changes in prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen, voiding symptoms, and urinary flow were minor. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that in aging men with late-onset hypogonadism, 6 months of TRT normalizes serum androgen levels but appears to have little effect on prostate tissue androgen levels and cellular functions. Establishment of prostate safety for large populations of older men undergoing longer duration of TRT requires further study. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00161304.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2351-2361
Number of pages11
JournalJAMA
Volume296
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on prostate tissue in men with late-onset hypogonadism: A randomized controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this