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Docetaxel

In Hormone-Refractory Metastatic Prostate Cancer

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Abstract

▴ The taxoid analogue docetaxel is a potent inhibitor of microtubular depolymerisation and, in hormonerefractory metastatic prostate cancer, it also counters the effects of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.

▴ Overall survival was significantly increased in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer receiving intravenous docetaxel every 3 weeks plus oral prednisone or estramustine, compared with patients receiving intravenous mitoxantrone every 3 weeks plus prednisone in two large phase III trials (TAX 327 and SWOG [Southwest Oncology Group] 9916).

▴ In the TAX 327 study, patients receiving docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks plus prednisone had a median overall survival duration of 18.9 months; in the SWOG 9916 study, median overall survival duration was 17.5 months with docetaxel 60 mg/m2 every 3 weeks plus estramustine 280mg three times daily on days 1–5. The median overall survival duration for the control arm of mitoxantrone 12 mg/ m2 every 3 weeks plus prednisone was 16–17 months.

▴ Compared with mitoxantrone plus prednisone, docetaxel plus prednisone improved prostate specific antigen response rate, pain and health-related quality of life, and docetaxel plus estramustine increased progression-free survival.

▴ Adverse events were more common with docetaxel-than mitoxantrone-based treatment regimens, but mst events associated with docetaxel were mild-to-moderate in severity.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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Acknowledgements

At the request of the journal, Sanofi-Aventis provided a non-binding review of this article.

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  1. Adis International Limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 1311, New Zealand

    Kate McKeage & Susan J. Keam

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  1. Kate McKeage
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  2. Susan J. Keam
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Correspondence to Susan J. Keam.

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McKeage, K., Keam, S.J. Docetaxel. Drugs 65, 2287–2294 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200565160-00003

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