Refereed journal article or data article (A1)

Letrozole versus testosterone for promotion of endogenous puberty in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty: a randomised controlled phase 3 trial




List of AuthorsTero Varimo, Hanna Huopio, Laura Kariola, Sirpa Tenhola, Raimo Voutilainen, Jorma Toppari, Sanna Toiviainen-Salo, Esa Hämäläinen, Mari-Anne Pulkkinen, Mitja Lääperi, Annika Tarkkanen, Kirsi Vaaralahti, Päivi J Miettinen, Matti Hero, Taneli Raivio

PublisherELSEVIER SCI LTD

Publication year2019

JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

Journal name in sourceLANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH

Journal acronymLANCET CHILD ADOLESC

Volume number3

Issue number2

Start page109

End page120

Number of pages12

ISSN2352-4642

DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(18)30377-8


Abstract

Background

The treatment of constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is an underinvestigated area in adolescent medicine. We tested the hypothesis that peroral aromatase inhibition with letrozole is more efficacious than intramuscular injection of low-dose testosterone in inducing puberty in boys with CDGP.

Method

We did a randomised, controlled, open-label trial at four paediatric centres in Finland. Boys aged at least 14 years with CDGP who wanted medical intervention and exhibited the first signs of puberty were randomly assigned in blocks of ten to receive either six intramuscular injections of low-dose testosterone (about 1 mg/kg bodyweight) every 4 weeks for 6 months or peroral letrozole 2.5 mg once daily for 6 months. All boys were followed up for 6 months after the end of treatment. The primary outcomes were changes in testicular volume and hormonal markers of puberty at 6 months after treatment initiation, which were assessed in all participants who received the assigned treatment. All patients were included in the safety analysis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01797718.

Findings

Between Aug 1, 2013, and Jan 30, 2017, 30 boys were randomly assigned to receive testosterone (n=15) or letrozole (n=15). One boy in the testosterone group was excluded from the primary analyses because of a protocol deviation. During treatment, boys in the letrozole group had higher serum concentrations of luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and inhibin B than did boys in the testosterone group. Testicular growth from baseline to 6 months was greater in the letrozole group than in the testosterone group (7.2 mL [95% CI 5.2-9.3] vs 2.2 mL [1.4-2.9]; between-group difference per month 0.9 mL [95% CI 0.6-1.2], p<0.0001). Most adverse events were mild. One boy in the testosterone group had aggressive behaviour for 1 week after each injection, and one boy in the letrozole group had increased irritability at 6 months.

Interpretation

Letrozole might be a feasible alternative treatment to low-dose testosterone for boys with CDGP who opt for medical intervention. However, the risks and benefits of manipulating the reproductive axis during early puberty should be weighed carefully.


Last updated on 2021-24-06 at 08:48