Phase IV Study to Evaluate Bone Mineral Density in No-bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated With Degarelix

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists decrease bone mineral density (BMD) and increase fracture risk in men with prostate carcinoma. GnRH agonists also increase fat mass and decrease lean body mass. These treatment-related changes in body composition may contribute to fatigue, emotional distress, and decreased quality of life. Whereas the consequences of initial GnRH agonist on BMD and body composition are well characterized, less is known regarding the effects of GnRH antagonists. At the best of our knowledge the changes in body composition induced by Degarelix in prostate cancer patients has never been explored. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a reliable and accurate method to determine the changes in body composition in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The change in body composition is a major determinant of increased morbidity and mortality induced by ADT and DXA provides the most precise measure of body composition. This study is designed to obtain explorative information on changes in bone mineral density, fat body mass and lean body mass by DXA scan after administration of Degarelix. These preliminary data compared with historical data of patients submitted to GnRH agonists could provide a rationale for a subsequent prospective randomized clinical trial.