Objective: Chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in the management of prostate cancer in patients with androgen-independent metastatic disease, however, a survival benefit has not been demonstrated yet. Docetaxel alone or in combination with estramustine has been shown to exhibit a high level of activity in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer. To date there are only few reports on chemotherapy for localized prostate cancer. Methods: The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel as a single agent given prior to radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has been evaluated in 5 patients presenting with Gleason score 8 prostate cancers at biopsy. Results: The mean reduction in prostate-specific antigen levels in the 5 patients was 66.5% (range 47.6–94.0%). Histology after RRP yielded pT2N0MxR0 prostate cancers in all subjects. Testosterone and secretoneurin levels were not significantly affected by docetaxel monotherapy. Conclusions: Although the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to RRP is still experimental, the dramatic prostate-specific antigen decrease during chemotherapy and the pathologic findings after radical prostatectomy are encouraging. Studies including larger number of patients will have to confirm the present results.

Keywords:
Prostate cancer, Chemotherapy, Docetaxel
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
2004
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.