Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Causing Poor Response to Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Mustafa Kinaan, Oksana Hamidi, Hanford Yau, Kevin D. Courtney, Akin Eraslan, Kenneth Simon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is recommended for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Inadequate suppression of testosterone while on ADT poses a clinical challenge and requires evaluation of multiple potential causes, including adrenal virilizing disorders. We present 2 cases of elderly patients with prostate cancer who had undiagnosed congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) driving persistent testosterone elevation during ADT. The first patient is a 73-year-old man who underwent radical prostatectomy on initial diagnosis and was later started on ADT with leuprolide following tumor recurrence. He had a testosterone level of 294.4 ng/dL and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 17.7 ng/mL despite leuprolide use. Additional workup revealed adrenal nodular hyperplasia, elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (19 910 ng/dL) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (378 mcg/dL), and 2 mutations of the CYP21A2 gene consistent with simple virilizing CAH. The second patient is an 82-year-old man who received stereotactic radiation therapy at time of diagnosis. He had insufficient suppression of testosterone with evidence of metastatic disease despite treatment with leuprolide and subsequently degarelix. Laboratory workup revealed elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (4910 ng/dL) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (312 mcg/dL). Based on clinical, radiographic and biochemical findings, the patient was diagnosed with nonclassic CAH. The first patient initiated glucocorticoid therapy, and the second patient was treated with the CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone in combination with glucocorticoids. Both patients experienced rapid decline in testosterone and PSA levels. Inadequate testosterone suppression during ADT should trigger evaluation for causes of persistent hyperandrogenemia. CAH can lead to hyperandrogenemia and pose challenges when treating patients with prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2021

Keywords

  • adrenal androgens
  • androgen deprivation therapy
  • congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • hyperandrogenemia
  • prostate cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Causing Poor Response to Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this