Bicalutamide Monotherapy Versus Leuprolide Monotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Effects on Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists decrease bone mineral density, lean mass, and muscle size and increase fat mass in men with prostate cancer. Less is known about the effects of bicalutamide monotherapy on bone mineral density and body composition. In a 12-month, open-label study, we randomly assigned 52 men with prostate cancer and no bone metastases to receive either leuprolide or bicalutamide (150 mg by mouth daily). Bone mineral density and body composition were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography. Mean (+/- standard error) bone mineral density of the posterior-anterior lumbar spine decreased by 2.5% +/- 0.5% in the leuprolide group and increased by 2.5 +/- 0.5 in the bicalutamide group from baseline to 12 months (P