This is a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of testosterone replacement on cancer-related fatigue in older men with solid or hematologic (blood) cancer who report fatigue and have low testosterone levels.
Men with active solid or hematologic (blood) cancers who have received or are receiving chemo- and/or radiation therapy. Patients who have no evidence of disease (NED) for 60 months or less, which means that they are <60 months from their last treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy) will be included.
Age: 55 years and older
Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
Serum testosterone, measured by mass spectrometry (gold standard method), of <348 ng/dl and/or free testosterone <70 pg/ml. The lower limits of the normal range for total testosterone in healthy men is 348 ng/dL and the lower limits of free testosterone is <70 pg/ml in the Framingham Heart Study sample. As sex hormone binding globulin levels may be elevated in some men with cancer (resulting in elevation in total testosterone level), some of these symptomatic men may still be hypogonadal despite having total testosterone above this cut-off limit, but their free testosterone levels may still be below the lower limit of normal. Thus, men with free testosterone <70 pg/mL will be included.
Men with current or prior history of prostate, breast, testicular, or adrenal cancers.
Use of anabolic agents (testosterone, DHEA, growth hormone) within the past 6 months
Hematocrit >48%, serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dL
PSA >4 ng/ml; nodule or induration on digital rectal exam