title: [Clinical study of diethylstilbestrol in hormone refractory prostate cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the clinical outcome and adverse events of estrogen therapy for hormone refractory prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 32 patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer received diethylstilbestrol (DES) 2 mg daily at our institute. The data of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) change, time to progression, overall survival rate, disease-specific survival rate and adverse events were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data of 29 patients were complete. The mean duration of DES dosing was 8.6 ± 0.9 months. Among them, 8 (27.5%) patients achieved a PSA response with a 50% decrement of PSA or more. Seven (24.1%) patients had a stable level of PSA (50% < PSA < 125%) while 14 of 29 (48.3%) maintained a PSA progression with a 25% increment of PSA or more. The overall median time to progression was 4 (1 - 12) months. And the median time to progression was 6 (5-12) months in the PSA response group. The overall survival rate was 48.3% and disease-specific survival rate 55.2%. The main adverse events were gynecomastia (10/29, 34.5%) and deep vein thrombosis (3/29, 10.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When used for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer, diethylstilbestrol at a daily dose of 2 mg can achieve a PSA response in 27.5% patients and a PSA stability in 24.1% patients. And the median time to progression is 4 months. Estrogen is efficacious for the patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jian-wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Shi-qi
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xue-song
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhi-song
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol