Weekly low-dose docetaxel in advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients previously exposed to chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and tolerability of docetaxel in patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer previously exposed to chemotherapy.


METHODS
We enrolled 27 patients with hormone-resistant prostatic cancer that had progressed during first-line chemotherapy. The primary end-point was palliative response defined as a 2-point reduction in the 6-point present pain intensity scale, and an improvement in Karnofsky performance status of one 10-point category. The treatment consisted of weekly docetaxel 25 mg/m(2) body surface area administered by means of a 1-hour intravenous infusion with corticosteroid premedication.


RESULTS
The primary criterion of palliative response was met in 13 patients (48%) after eight treatment cycles; its median duration was 6 months (range 1-8). Mean global quality of life improved in 8 and 10 patients after respectively four and eight treatment cycles. After a median follow-up of 8 months, 21 patients had died: the median survival was 9+ months (range 2-18). Weekly docetaxel was very well tolerated: grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 1 patient and grade 3 anemia in 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly low-dose docetaxel is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer previously exposed to chemotherapy.
Petrioli
Roberto
R
Medical Oncology Division, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Pozzessere
Daniele
D
Messinese
Simona
S
Sabatino
Marianna
M
Di Palma
Teresa
T
Marsili
Stefania
S
Correale
Pierpaolo
P
Manganelli
Antonio
A
Salvestrini
Francesco
F
Francini
Guido
G
D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D043823:Taxoids; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel