A recent meta-analysis co-led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that most of the benefits of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer occur within the first 9 to 12 months. Extending hormone therapy beyond that period provides only small additional protection while increasing the risk of other health problems such as cardiovascular or metabolic issues.
The study reveals that the ideal duration of ADT depends on cancer risk:
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Men with low-risk disease may not need ADT at all.
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Men with intermediate-risk cancer seem to benefit most from a 6 to 12 month course of ADT.
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Patients with high-risk disease may benefit from up to 12 months, while those with very high-risk cancer might require longer therapy.
Background: ADT is a form of hormone therapy often used together with radiotherapy to lower testosterone and slow tumour growth. While it is effective, prolonged ADT can lead to side-effects such as bone thinning, muscle loss and increased cardiovascular or metabolic risk.
Method: The investigators pooled individual-patient data from 13 international randomised clinical trials, covering 10,266 men with a median follow-up of over 11 years, and compared different durations of ADT with outcomes such as survival, cancer-specific mortality and death from other causes.
Impact: The findings highlight the importance of tailoring ADT to each patient’s cancer risk, general health, age and preferences. Shorter hormone-therapy courses may be sufficient for many men — reducing side-effects while preserving effectiveness. This approach enables clinicians to make more informed, personalised decisions that balance cancer control with long-term safety and quality of life.
You can read the full published study here: Optimal Duration of Androgen Deprivation Therapy With Definitive Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Meta‑Analysis, JAMA Oncology, 2025.
