In a nutshell
The authors aimed to determine the effect of toremifene (Fareston) and raloxifene (Evista) when added to hormone therapy in prostate cancer patients who had not received previous treatments.
The authors concluded that toremifene and hormone therapy significantly improved the rate of biochemical recurrence (BCR, a rise in prostate specific antigen [PSA], a protein elevated when prostate cancer is present).
Some background
Hormone therapy is a common treatment used in prostate cancer. It targets the male sex hormones active in cancer growth, such as testosterone. This treatment is often used in patients with advanced prostate cancer (cancer that has spread out of the prostate). In some patients the cancer can spread and form tumors on the bones. This form of cancer is difficult to treat. Toremifene and raloxifene are hormone regulators that has been approved for breast cancer treatment or in those at high-risk of breast cancer. They may have a benefit in prostate cancer.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of toremifene and raloxifene when used with hormone therapy to treat advanced prostate cancer.
15 patients were used in this study. 5 patients in group 1 received hormone therapy alone. 5 patients in group 2 received hormone therapy and toremifene. 5 patients in group 3 received hormone therapy and raloxifene. The average follow-up was 3.75 years.
3 patients in group 1 experienced BCR. 0 patients in group 2 experienced BCR. 2 patients in group 3 experienced BCR. The 5-year BCR-free rate (people who did not experience an increase in PSA levels after treatment) in group 1 was 30%. It was 100% in group 2 and 53% in group 3.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that patients who received toremifene and hormone therapy had a significantly improved BCR.
The fine print
Results cannot be widely applied due to the size of the patient group used. Further studies are needed to validate these results.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Nov 05, 2015
