D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, comments on ALK-positive lung cancer patients with low testosterone.
D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, Director, Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program, University of Colorado Cancer Center, comments on ALK-positive lung cancer patients with low testosterone.
Many patients (about 30%) with advanced cancer experience low testosterone from the burden of the disease and treatment. Cytotoxic chemotherapy, brain radiotherapy, steroids, and painkillers can all affect testosterone, Camidge says.
In a recent study, only 30% of the control group (patients with advanced lung cancer) had low testosterone. In patients with ALK-positive lung cancer treated with crizotinib, 100% of patients had low testosterone. In a follow up study conducted in four countries across multiple sites, 84% of men on crizotinib experienced low testosterone.
In a second analysis, Camidge says, researchers used a questionnaire to measure androgen-related symptoms: erectile dysfunction, energy levels, and depression. Among patients with low testosterone, 80% were symptomatic and 50% of those patients felt better after replacement testosterone. Camidge notes that the older a patient, the less likely they are to benefit from testosterone replacement, while younger patients are more likely to see benefit.
Low testosterone is easy to check for, Camidge says, and is easy to treat.
Brain Cancer Awareness Month: Challenges and Innovations in Treatment
May 13th 2024In an interview with Targeted Oncology for Brain Cancer Awareness Month, Theodore Schwartz, MD, discussed the challenges of targeting brain tumors, emerging therapies, and strategies to overcome the blood-brain barrier.
Read More
SELECT Trial Establishes Lenvatinib’s Role in RAI-Refractory DTC
May 2nd 2024In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Lori J. Wirth, MD, delved into how the data from SELECT signals lenvatinib effectiveness as a frontline therapy for patients with RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.
Read More