Addition of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy or Brachytherapy Boost to External Beam Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Review (9 RCTs;n=5381) noted addition of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) improved overall survival [OS] (HR 0.71;95% CI,0.62-0.81) but addition of brachytherapy (BT) did not. Network meta-analysis found EBRT +ADT improved OS vs EBRT plus BT

SPS commentary:

The authors conclude that the current practice patterns of omitting ADT with EBRT plus BT may result in inferior overall compared with EBRT plus ADT in men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. They note that ADT in this population should remain a critical component of treatment regardless of radiotherapy delivery method until the evidence base demonstrates otherwise.

Journal of Clinical Oncology