[Intermittent androgen deprivation as therapy for androgen-sensitive prostate cancer. Sense or nonsense?].

Androgen deprivation is the predominant therapy for advanced prostate cancer. There is accumulating evidence that phases of intermission in androgen deprivation may have benefits regarding side effects, albeit there is as yet no general recommendation for intermittent androgen deprivation therapy. Recent systematic reviews at least substantiate a benefit from such regimens for general quality of life without therapy compromisation. In addition, preclinical data revealed further potential strategies for intermittent androgen deprivation therapy. Future studies must prove, however, that such approaches can be implemented in the clinical situation.