Targeted therapies, in particular antiangiogenic therapies (AATs), have become the standard of treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Although common adverse effects like fatigue have been well-established, sexual disorders induced by these treatments, although often reported, have been poorly evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AATs on the sexual life of patients with mRCC and the relationships with quality of life (QoL), fatigue, and biologic parameters.
This longitudinal study included patients with mRCC on first- or second-line AATs. Sexuality was evaluated by the French version of Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire short-Form (CSFQ); QoL and fatigue were measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), respectively. Biologic parameters were also assessed.
Among 75 patients included in the study, 39 agreed to respond to the sexual functioning questionnaire (CSFQ). At baseline, all patients had at least 1 sexual dysfunction. No relationship with QoL, fatigue, and biologic parameters was shown. After 3 months of treatment, a decrease in at least 1 sexual dimension was observed in 69% of patients. The most affected sexual dimensions were pleasure (34%) and desire/interest (38%). No significant relationship between sexual dysfunctions and biologic parameters was found. The percentage of non-participants (50%) and the absence of a control arm are the main limitations.
Patients with mRCC exhibit sexual dysfunction that could be increased by AATs independently of the impact on fatigue and QoL. Further studies aiming to define the role of biologic parameters like inflammatory markers and thyroid parameters are warranted.
Sexual disorders induced or degraded by AAT are an independent side effect that should be taken into account in oncology supportive care departments.
Clinical genitourinary cancer. 2018 May 21 [Epub ahead of print]
Angelique Denouel, Natacha Heutte, Bernard Escudier, Jean-Emmanuel Kurtz, Melanie Dos Santos, Nadine Longato, Laurence Desrues, Sarah Dauchy, Marie Lange, Emmanuel Sevin, Chantal Rieux, Benedicte Clarisse, Helene Castel, Sabien Noal, Florence Joly
U1086 INSERM-UCBN "Cancers & Préventions", Normandie Université, Caen, France., U1086 INSERM-UCBN "Cancers & Préventions", Normandie Université, Caen, France; Departments of Clinical Research Unit, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France., Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France., Departments of Hematology and Oncology, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France., Departments of Clinical Research Unit, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France., UNIROUEN, INSERM, DC2N, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandie University, Rouen, France., Department of Supportive Care, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France., Department of Medical Oncology, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France., Departments of Clinical Research Unit, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France., U1086 INSERM-UCBN "Cancers & Préventions", Normandie Université, Caen, France; Departments of Clinical Research Unit, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France. Electronic address: .