Prostate news article, September 2004
| DOCETAXEL AND
ZOLEDRONIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC HORMONE-REFRACTORY
PROSTATE CANCER.
D. Vordos, B. Paule, F.Vacherot, Y.Allory, L.Salomon, A.Hoznek, R.Yiou, D. Chopin, C.C. Abou and A. de la Taille. British Journal of Urology, Int. 2004 : 94 ; 524-527. Reviewed by: Mr Zach Dovey MRCP FRCS |
Treatment for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) is generally ineffective with chemotherapy offering a last resort. However, previous patient studies, as well as laboratory investigations, have shown a benefit with the use of both docetaxel (a taxane) and zoledronic acid in patients with end stage prostate disease. Other studies have shown a synergistic effect with the use of combination treatment with taxanes and zoledronic acid in breast cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combined docetaxel-zoledronic acid treatment in patients with metastatic HRPC.
Fourteen patients with HRPC were chosen for the study with an average age of 71 and PSA level of 202. All patients had either minimal or extensive metastases on baseline bone scan.
Patients received a mean range of 7.3 cycles of treatment (with treatments given one month apart); there was no reported drug-related toxicity and all patients stayed at home for their treatment. Only three patients required a blood transfusion and no bone fractures were reported.
At 2 months follow up, 8 patients (57%) had a reduction in PSA of more than half, maintained for more than 6 months, with a concurrent improvement in symptoms. Also, 6 patients (43%) decreased their consumption of analgesics by half. Finally, repeat bone scan at 6 months showed that there was no disease progression in 9 patients (64%). For this study the median survival had not yet been reached but was estimated to be approximately 14 months.
Confirming previous reports, the investigators suggest that combined Docetaxel and Zoledronic acid is a useful treatment for metastatic HRPC. They recommend that prospective randomised trials are needed to assess this new approach more formally.