title: Hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Comparisons between estramustine phosphate and low-dose epirubicin treatments.
abstract: We compared the effect and toxicity of estramustine phosphate and weekly low-dose epirubicin in a prospective randomized trial in 41 patients with metastatic prostate cancer refractory to hormonal manipulation. No significant difference between treatment modalities was seen. Palliation was reached in over 60% of patients. The median survival was 15 months in both groups. Toxicity was mild. Further, we investigated the effect of epirubicin after the failure of preceding estramustine phosphate therapy in additional 20 patients. Pain relief was achieved in 50% of these patients. The median survival was 10 months. Toxicity was acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elomaa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rannikko
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alfthan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004961:Estramustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D004961:Estramustine; D015251:Epirubicin