Mega Doctor News
By Rebecca Bromelkamp / Mayo Clinic News Network
ROCHESTER, Minn. — A medication commonly used to treat overactive bladder significantly reduced hot flashes in men receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which included several Mayo Clinic researchers.
The phase 2 study found that oxybutynin, a medication commonly prescribed to treat overactive bladder, worked better than a placebo at reducing how often hot flashes occurred and how intense they were in men receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer. Men who took oxybutynin also reported improvements in their day-to-day functioning and overall quality of life.
Hot flashes affect an estimated 60% to 80% of men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy and can interfere with sleep, mood and overall well-being. For some patients, these symptoms are severe enough to make it difficult to continue treatment.
“Hot flashes are often underestimated in men, but they can have a real and lasting impact on quality of life during prostate cancer treatment,” says Bradley Stish, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic and first author of the study. “This trial shows that oxybutynin can provide significant relief with a favorable safety profile.”
The study enrolled 88 men with prostate cancer who were experiencing frequent hot flashes while receiving androgen-deprivation therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive oxybutynin at one of two doses or a placebo for six weeks.
Men who received the higher dose of oxybutynin experienced the greatest benefit, with an average reduction of nearly seven hot flashes per day, compared with about two fewer hot flashes per day in the placebo group. More than 75% of men receiving the higher dose achieved at least a 50% reduction in hot flash severity.
Patients taking oxybutynin also reported less disruption to sleep, work, social activities and overall quality of life. No treatment-related serious adverse events occurred during the study. The most common side effect was dry mouth, which was more frequent at higher doses.
Oxybutynin has previously been shown to reduce hot flashes in women, but evidence in men had been limited. This trial is among the first randomized, placebo-controlled study to demonstrate its effectiveness for men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy.
“These results expand the options available to clinicians and patients who are trying to manage a challenging side effect of prostate cancer treatment,” says Dr. Stish. “Having additional, well-tolerated choices matters.”
Researchers note that larger studies will be needed to confirm the findings and determine the optimal dose, but the results support the use of oxybutynin as a treatment option for men with bothersome hot flashes related to hormone therapy.
The study was conducted through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, part of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trial Network. It included participants from academic and community cancer centers across the U.S. Mayo Clinic has a financial interest in the technology referenced in this news release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
