Table 3 Treatment regimens in the included studies

Crook 2012 (CIC-CTG PR.7 Trial)[9, 10]

Intermittent: induction only (8 mo): LHRHa injections plus a non-steroidal antiandrogen, with the latter continued for a minimum of 4 weeks.

Continuous: consisted of a LHRHa plus a non-steroidal antiandrogen, with the latter continued for a minimum of 4 weeks, or orchiectomy.

Calais da Silva 2009/2011 (SEUG 9401 Trial)[44, 45]

Intermittent: induction only (3 mo): CPA 200 mg for 2 weeks followed by monthly depot injections of a LHRHa plus 200 mg of CPA daily.

Continuous: received an LHRHa plus 200 mg of CPA daily.

Hussain 2013 (SWOG 9346 Trial)[8, 55]

Intermittent: induction only (7 mo): received LHRHa (goserelin) plus bicalutamide.

Continuous: LHRHa plus bicalutamide

Salonen 2012/2013 (FinnProstate Study VII)[11, 12]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): goserelin acetate (3.6 mg) SC every 28 days. The CPA was given in 100 mg twice daily during the first 12.5 days to minimize flare reaction.

Continuous: continued with goserelin acetate or bilateral orchiectomy.

Tunn 2012 (EC507 Trial)[1, 46, 47]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): received LHRHa (Leuprorelin acetate 11.25 mg, 3-mo depot, SC or IM) plus CPA 200 mg/day orally was administered for the first 4 weeks to prevent tumor flare.

Continuous: LHRHa

De Leval 2002 [51]

Intermittent: induction only (3-6 mo): flutamide (250 mg, 3 times, daily) for 15 days. This therapy was followed by flutamide and goserelin acetate (3.6 mg, monthly).

Continuous: goserelin plus flutamide (250 mg orally every 8 hours) without interruption.

Langenhuijsen 2008/2011 (TULP Trial) [52, 53]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): Buserelin depot 6.6 mg, a 2-monthly SC plus nilutamide 300 mg (once a day for the first 4 weeks and 150 mg daily thereafter).

Continuous: buserelin depot plus nilutamide

Miller 2007 [56]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): goserelin plus bicalutamide

Continuous: goserelin plus bicalutamide

Mottet 2012 (TAP 22 Trial)[50]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): leuprorelin SR 3.75 mg, SC every 28 days and flutamide, one 250 mg tablet, three times daily.

Continuous: leuprorelin and flutamide continued until disease progression or study end.

Verhagen 2008/2013 [48, 49]

Intermittent: induction only (3-6 mo): CPA 100 mg three times daily

Continuous: CPA 100 mg thrice daily.

Hering 2000 [54]

Intermittent: induction only (10.5 mo): CPA 200 mg/day orally

Continuous: CPA 200 mg/day orally

Irani 2008 [57]

Intermittent: induction only (6 mo): goserelin 10.8 mg 3-mo depot and flutamide 250 mg three times daily and resumed 6 mo later

Continuous: goserelin and flutamide 250 mg three times daily continued without interruption

Silva 2013 (SEUG 9901 Trial)[58]

Intermittent: induction only (3 mo): CPA 200 mg/d for 2 weeks followed by monthly depot injections of triptoreline plus 200 mg of CPA daily and restarted monotherapy with CPA 300 mg/d in the progression

Continuous: CPA 200 mg/d for 2 weeks followed by monthly depot injections of triptoreline plus 200 mg of CPA daily.