title: Epirubicin combined with estramustine phosphate in hormone-resistant prostate cancer: a phase II study.
abstract: Twenty-four assessable patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) were to receive daily doses of oral estramustine phosphate (EMP), 10 mg kg(-1), and intravenous epirubicin (EPR) infusions, 100 mg m(-2), every third week up to a cumulative dose of 500 mg m(-2). Biochemical response [> or = 50% reduction in pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after three cycles of > or = 3 weeks' duration] was demonstrated in 13 of 24 patients included (54%). No objective response (WHO criteria) was observed, although seven of nine evaluable patients achieved a > or = 50% serum PSA reduction. Subjective improvement (pain score, performance status) occurred in 7 of 24 patients, whereas nine patients progressed subjectively. There was no correlation between subjective and biochemical response. Biochemical progression (> or = 50% increase of nadir PSA) occurred after a median of 12 weeks. All but two patients were alive after a median follow-up time of 8.7 months for surviving patients (range 3.3-13.2). Eight patients experienced grade 3/4 leucopenia, with no indication of cumulative myelosuppression. Cardiovascular toxicity was experienced by four patients. Two patients developed angioedema twice, in one patient requiring hospitalization at the intensive ward. Based on this limited series, the combination of EPR and EMP in patients with HRPC is tolerable and appears to be effective in terms of significant PSA reduction. The results warrant further investigations of the two drugs and, in particular, of the clinical significance of > or = 50% PSA decrease in patients with HRPC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Hernes
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Fosså
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaage
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ogreid
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heilo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paus
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004961:Estramustine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004961:Estramustine; D015251:Epirubicin; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen