title: Hormone refractory advanced prostate cancer treated with estramustine and paclitaxel combination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of weekly paclitaxel administration in combination with oral estramustine in patients with prostate cancer refractory to hormonal manipulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1999 and 2000, 41 patients were included in the study. All patients had disease progression while on treatment with LH-RH and antiandrogens. After being off hormonal therapy for at least 4 weeks, oral estramustine 520 mg twice daily and 60 minutes paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 once weekly, were administered. In total 152 courses were given (median 3.71).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Toxicity was well-tolerated. The most common adverse effect was low-grade (I-II) neurotoxicity. Objective partial responses were observed in 9 (22%) patients; when PSA decrease was included the total number of responders was 25 (61%) patients. Median survival was 17 months (range 4-42+ months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term median and overall survival was achieved in patients with prostate cancer refractory to hormonal treatment, with oral estramustine and weekly paclitaxel administration. Toxicity was acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, General Hospital of Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Athanasiadis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsavdaridis
authors.forename: Sotirios K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rigatos
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Athanasiadis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pergantas
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004961:Estramustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004961:Estramustine; D017239:Paclitaxel