title: Feasibility of 21-day continuous infusion of epirubicin in hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Gruppo Onco-Urologico Piemontese, Oncologia Medica, Departimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università di Torino, Azienda Ospedaliera San Luigi, Orbassano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berruti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bitossi
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gorzegno
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guercio
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poggio
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tampellini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Porpiglia
authors.forename: Oliviero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ostellino
authors.forename: Roberto Mario
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dogliotti
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015251:Epirubicin