Testosterone replacement in young male cancer survivors: A 6-month double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial

by Jennifer S. Walsh, Helen Marshall, Isabelle L. Smith, Diana M. Greenfield, Jayne Swain, Emma Best, James Ashton, Julia M. Brown, Robert Huddart, Robert E. Coleman, John A. Snowden, Richard J. Ross BackgroundYoung male cancer survivors have lower testosterone levels, higher fat mass, and worse quality of life (QoL) than age-matched healthy controls. Low testosterone in cancer survivors can be due to orchidectomy or effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have undertaken a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial of testosterone replacement in young male cancer survivors with borderline low testosterone (7 –12 nmol/l). Methods and findingsThis was a multicentre United Kingdom study conducted in secondary care hospital outpatients. Male survivors of testicular cancer, lymphoma, and leukaemia aged 25 –50 years with morning total serum testosterone 7–12 nmol/l were recruited. A total of 136 men were randomised between July 2012 and February 2015 (42.6% aged 25–37 years, 57.4% 38–50 years, 88% testicular cancer, 10% lymphoma, matched for body mass index [BMI]). Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive testosterone (Tostran 2% gel) or placebo for 26 weeks. A dose titration was performed after 2 weeks. The coprimary end points were trunk fat mass and SF36 Physical Functioning score (SF36-PF) at 26 weeks by intention to treat. At 26 weeks, testosterone treatment compared with placebo was associated with decreased trunk fat mass (−0.9 kg, 95% CI −1.6 to ...
Source: PLoS Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Source Type: research