Background Abiraterone is indicated for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. One of the most common side effects (affecting more than 10% of patients) associated with abiraterone is urinary tract infection (UTI).

Purpose To assess abiraterone-associated UTI prevalence in cancer patients and the potential factors that contribute to this adverse effect.

Material and methods Retrospective observational study (September 2011–September 2014). All patients on treatment for at least one cycle of 28 days with abiraterone were included. The data recorded were: age, duration of treatment with abiraterone, whether patients suffered UTI during treatment with abiraterone, the urinary pathogen and the treatment of the infection. The potential risk factors found were: pre-infection surgical manipulation of the urinary tract, previous use of antibiotics and urinary catheterization. Categorical variables were compared by Chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was performed on parameters with p < 0.10 in univariate models. The p-values <0.05 were regarded as significant.

Results 31 patients were included in the study. The mean duration of treatment was 195.28 days. 5 patients suffered UTI (16%).

In the univariate analysis, variables related to UTI were urinary catheterization (OR = 10.67; CI 95% 1.91–59.62; p = 0.007) and surgical manipulation of the urinary tract (OR = 14.67; CI 95% 1.83–117.68; p = 0.011). In multivariate analysis, none of these factors were significantly associated with UTI (urinary catheterization: OR = 8.07; CI 95% 0.7–96.52; p = 0.099); surgical manipulation: OR = 9.17; CI 95% 0.97–87.25; p = 0.054).

Nonetheless, there was a trend towards a higher risk of UTI in patients with previous urologic surgery.

Conclusion There are patients treated with abiraterone who suffer UTI, but it is necessary to consider other possible risk factors before thinking of it as a direct side effect.

References and/or Acknowledgements

1. Hoy SM. Abiraterone acetate: a review of its use in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Drugs 2013;73:2077–91

References and/or AcknowledgementsNo conflict of interest.