Which therapy uses agents like GnRH agonists or anti-androgens in treating prostate cancer?

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the appropriate answer because it specifically targets the hormonal aspects of prostate cancer growth. Prostate cancer often relies on androgens, such as testosterone, for proliferation. Agents used in ADT, including GnRH agonists and anti-androgens, are designed to lower the levels of these hormones or block their action.

GnRH agonists work by initially stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to a decrease in testosterone production from the testes. Over time, this creates a negative feedback loop that ultimately results in reduced testosterone levels. Anti-androgens, on the other hand, block the action of testosterone at the receptor level, preventing the hormone from stimulating cancer cell growth.

In contrast, immunotherapy targets the immune system to help it recognize and destroy cancer cells, chemotherapy directly kills rapidly dividing cells, and surgical therapy involves physically removing tumors or surrounding tissue. While those treatments can also be part of the overall management of prostate cancer, they do not specifically utilize hormone modulation like androgen deprivation therapy does.