title: Chemotherapy agents and timing of chemotherapy in prostate cancer management.
abstract: In 2005, it is estimated that more than 30,000 men will die from metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. For decades, no chemotherapeutic agent demonstrated a survival benefit in these patients, although two randomized clinical trials demonstrated a clear palliative benefit using mitoxantrone combined with a corticosteroid. However, beginning in 1999, a series of phase-2 trials were performed using docetaxel, either as a single agent or in combination with estramustine. Preliminary data implied a survival improvement, with median survivals reported to be 14 to 23 months. Prostate-specific antigen levels dropped by more than 50% in 38% to 48% of patients treated with docetaxel. These findings were confirmed in two phase-3 randomized trials in which docetaxel with and without estramustine have demonstrated a survival benefit using chemotherapy in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Donohue
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Petrylak
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / Q000379:methods; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008942:Mitoxantrone