Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology Advance Access originally published online on August 2, 2007
Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 37(8):603-608; doi:10.1093/jjco/hym071
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2007 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
Three-weekly Docetaxel with Prednisone is Feasible for Japanese Patients with Hormone-refractory Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Comparative Study with Weekly Docetaxel Alone
Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575 Japan
For reprints and all correspondence: Toru Shimazui, Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575 Japan. E-mail: torushim{at}md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Received January 23, 2007; accepted March 8, 2007
Background: We previously reported that weekly treatment with docetaxel alone is useful for and well tolerated by patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Here, we compare it with the regimen of docetaxel once every 3 weeks (q3w) plus daily prednisone (PSL) based on a TAX 327 trial in order to clarify the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel regimens in Japan.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with HRPC were treated with docetaxel weekly (regimen 1) or docetaxel q3w plus PSL daily (regimen 2) at Tsukuba University Hospital and the changes in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), tumor size and survival were evaluated. The dose of docetaxel in regimen 1 was based on our previous report and that of regimen 2 was modified from a TAX 327 trial.
Results: A >50% decrease in PSA was observed in 53% of the patients with a median time to progression of 3.5 months and 69% with 8.5 months with regimens 1 and 2, respectively. Patients who received regimen 2 had a significantly better survival rate than those who received regimen 1. Myelosuppression and neuropathy were statistically more frequent in regimen 2 than in regimen 1.
Conclusion: A regimen of docetaxel q3w with PSL daily was associated with a high rate of PSA reduction and prolongation of patient survival. Although docetaxel has not been approved in Japan yet, this treatment is considered feasible for Japanese patients with HRPC.
Key Words: chemotherapy PSA failure paclitaxel