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Intermittent Androgen Deprivation

Meaning

Intermittent Androgen Deprivation (IAD) is a therapeutic strategy involving cycles of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) followed by drug-free periods, rather than continuous, uninterrupted treatment. This clinical approach is primarily used in the management of prostate cancer, aiming to delay the development of castration-resistant disease and mitigate the adverse side effects associated with continuous testosterone suppression. The cycling allows for temporary recovery of endogenous testosterone and potential improvement in quality of life metrics, such as libido, energy, and bone density. Close monitoring of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels guides the on-and-off cycling.