Feasibility of 21-day continuous infusion of epirubicin in hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Epirubicin (EPX) has been found to be active in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients. Prolonged EPX infusion has never been investigated in this patient subset.


METHODS
A feasibility study was conducted in which EPX was administered in 21-day continuous infusion to 15 patients with HRPC. The EPX dose was 5 mg/m2 daily for 21 consecutive days (one course). One week was allowed before starting the next course.


RESULTS
The patients received 1 to 6 courses (median 3). As a whole, the treatment was well tolerated. Nine patients did not develop any toxicity, while WHO grade 3 and 4 toxicities were recorded in 4 patients. Alopecia (WHO grade 1-2) was presented in 4 cases. Five patients attained >50% decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA).


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged EPX infusion is feasible and potentially active in the treatment of HRPC patients. Our data suggest caution in administering this treatment in patients bearing rheumatologic disease.
Berruti
Alfredo
A
Gruppo Onco-Urologico Piemontese, Oncologia Medica, Departimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università di Torino, Azienda Ospedaliera San Luigi, Orbassano, Italy.
Mosca
Alessandra
A
Bitossi
Raffaella
R
Gorzegno
Gabriella
G
Guercio
Stefano
S
Poggio
Massimiliano
M
Tampellini
Marco
M
Porpiglia
Francesco
F
Ostellino
Oliviero
O
Scarpa
Roberto Mario
RM
Dogliotti
Luigi
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015251:Epirubicin