Prise en charge de la gynécomastie à l’ère des inhibiteurs des récepteurs aux androgènes chez les patients atteints de cancer de la prostate

Abstract

This review aims to evaluate the incidence, clinical impact, and available therapeutic options for the management of gynecomastia induced by hormonal therapy, particularly in the era of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, in patients with prostate cancer. We analysed data from clinical trials evaluating the incidence of gynecomastia under androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and the efficacy of both prophylactic and curative strategies, primarily tamoxifen and male breast radiotherapy, in patients receiving bicalutamide. Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors monotherapy is associated with high rates of gynecomastia (34 to 55 %), whereas combining androgen receptor pathway inhibitors with chemical castration significantly reduces this risk. Prophylactic tamoxifen significantly decreases gynecomastia incidence (down to 10 % versus 73 % without treatment) with good overall tolerance; prophylactic breast radiotherapy also shows efficacy. In the curative setting, tamoxifen appears more effective than radiotherapy, while surgery remains an invasive fallback option. However, extrapolating results obtained with bicalutamide to second-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors remains uncertain due to pharmacological and clinical differences. Gynecomastia could become a major complication of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors monotherapy. To date, tamoxifen and prophylactic breast radiotherapy are the most validated strategies, with the former appearing more effective. Further studies are needed to confirm their specific efficacy and safety in patients treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors.