A randomized double-blind study of testosterone replacement therapy or placebo in testicular cancer survivors with mild Leydig cell insufficiency (Einstein-intervention)

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Background: Elevated serum levels of luteinizing hormone and slightly decreased serum levels of testosterone
(mild Leydig cell insufficiency) is a common hormonal disturbance in testicular cancer (TC) survivors. A number of
studies have shown that low serum levels of testosterone is associated with low grade inflammation and increased
risk of metabolic syndrome. However, so far, no studies have evaluated whether testosterone substitution improves
metabolic dysfunction in TC survivors with mild Leydig cell insufficiency.
Methods/design: This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, designed to evaluate
the effect of testosterone replacement therapy in TC survivors with mild Leydig cell insufficiency. Seventy subjects
will be randomized to receive either testosterone replacement therapy or placebo. The subjects will be invited for
an information meeting where informed consent will be obtained. Afterwards, a 52-weeks treatment period begins
in which study participants will receive a daily dose of transdermal testosterone or placebo. Dose adjustment will
be made three times during the initial 8 weeks of the study to a maximal daily dose of 40 mg of testosterone in
the intervention arm. Evaluation of primary and secondary endpoints will be performed at baseline, 26 weeks
post-randomization, at the end of treatment (52 weeks) and 3 months after completion of treatment (week 64).
Discussion: This study is the first to investigate the effect of testosterone substitution in testicular cancer survivors
with mild Leydig cell insufficiency. If positive, it may change the clinical handling of testicular cancer survivors with
borderline low levels of testosterone.
Original languageEnglish
Article number461
JournalB M C Cancer
Volume17
Number of pages8
ISSN1471-2407
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jul 2017

    Research areas

  • Testicular cancer, Mild Leydig cell insufficiency, Testosterone substitution

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