UCL Clinical Trial Finds Estradiol Patches Match Injection Efficacy for Prostate Cancer with Fewer Cardiovascular Side Effects

UCL trial shows hormone patches are as effective as injections for prostate cancer, with significantly fewer hot flushes and better bone health for patients.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 9:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University College London

A New Approach to Testosterone Suppression

Hormone therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for locally advanced prostate cancer, designed to starve the cancer of the testosterone it needs to grow. Traditionally, this is achieved through regular injections of LHRH agonists, which often require frequent visits to a hospital or GP. However, researchers from University College London (UCL) have demonstrated that estradiol patches—the same technology used for menopause symptoms in women—can achieve equivalent results. By delivering oestrogen through the skin, these patches suppress testosterone production while maintaining higher oestrogen levels, which are naturally depleted by standard injection therapies.

Comparative Efficacy in Cancer Control

The large-scale PATCH and STAMPEDE trials followed 1,360 men with non-metastatic, locally advanced disease over several years. The results were nearly identical: 87% of those using estradiol patches were alive without the cancer spreading after three years, compared to 86% of those receiving standard injections. This statistical parity confirms that patches are a robust oncological alternative, ensuring that patient survival and disease control are not compromised when choosing a "kinder" delivery method. Lead author Professor Ruth Langley noted that this evidence should empower men to choose the therapy that best aligns with their lifestyle and side-effect tolerance.

Improving Patient Quality of Life and Bone Health

One of the most significant advantages of the patch is its superior side-effect profile. Standard hormone injections often cause debilitating hot flushes and a decline in bone mineral density because they lower both testosterone and oestrogen. In the trial, only 44% of men using patches reported hot flushes, compared to a staggering 89% in the injection group. Furthermore, the rate of bone fractures after five years was halved in the patch group (2.8% vs. 5.8%). By maintaining oestrogen levels, the patches protect bone health and reduce cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol and blood pressure, which are common complications of traditional LHRH agonists.