Oral etoposide in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer generally remains a chemotherapy-resistant tumor and therefore warrants the continued evaluation of promising agents.


METHODS
Twenty-two eligible patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer were treated with oral etoposide at a dosage of 50 mg/m2/day for 21 days in a 28-day cycle. Response was evaluated using standard solid tumor response criteria.


RESULTS
There were two partial responses of 6 and 14 months' duration, respectively. Two patients had disease stabilization, one for 6 months and one for 12 months. Median survival was 31 weeks, with an overall 1-year survival of 30%. Reversible alopecia and myelosuppression were the primary toxicities noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-agent oral etoposide has minimal activity in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
Hussain
M H
MH
Section of Hematology/Oncology, VA Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan 48101.
Pienta
K J
KJ
Redman
B G
BG
Cummings
G D
GD
Flaherty
L E
LE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D005047:Etoposide