In a nutshell
The authors aimed to determine the effect of docetaxel (Taxotere – a type of chemotherapy) and hormone therapy in patients with metastatic (cancer that has spread) prostate cancer.
Some background
Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are common treatments used in prostate cancer. Chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel, target cancer cells to stop growth and prevent cancer spread. Hormone therapy targets the male sex hormones used in prostate cancer, such as testosterone. These treatments are often used in patients with advanced prostate cancer (cancer that has spread into surrounding organs).
It is not clear if a combination of these treatments would extend survival outcomes compared to hormone therapy alone.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of docetaxel and hormone therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer. This study analyzed the results of three trials, including 2,951 patients. 2,262 patients had advanced cancer. 1,311 patients underwent hormone therapy alone. 951 patients underwent hormone therapy and docetaxel.
Patients who received both treatments had a 27% reduction in the risk of a short overall survival (time from treatment until death) compared to patients who received hormone therapy alone. Patients who received both treatments had a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression compared to patients who received hormone therapy alone. The most common side effects to treatment were low blood pressure, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and hair loss.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that docetaxel and hormone therapy increased overall survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
The fine print
What’s next?
Published By :
European Urology
Date :
Sep 25, 2015
