What Are Luteinizing Hormone-releasing Hormone (LHRH) Agonists?
Testosterone and other male hormones (called androgens) help prostate cancer cells grow. All hormonal therapies act by preventing the prostate cancer cells from getting male hormones. This can be done by blocking the production of testosterone or by blocking the body’s ability to use testosterone. Hormonal therapy can make prostate cancer shrink or just grow more slowly, but it will not cure cancer.1 Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists are hormonal therapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer. LHRH agonists work by preventing the testicles from producing testosterone and other male hormones. They lower testosterone as effectively as removing the testicles (orchiectomy).
