In a nutshell
This scientific article tried to prove that acquired resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent Docetaxel (Taxotere) can be eliminated by specifically targeting the mechanisms of resistance with additional drugs. The main finding was that a new cocktail of chemotherapeutic drugs can inhibit resistance to Docetaxel in studies performed on cell cultures and mice.
Some background
Chemotherapy with Docetaxel is currently offered to patients when anti-male-hormone treatments (androgen suppression therapy) stop working due to molecular changes in prostate cancer cells. Patients treated with Docetaxel alone unfortunately acquire resistance to the drug, survival beyond this point being very short, with few available treatment options remaining.
Methods & findings
The present study was performed on prostate cancer cells in culture and on mice. It assessed the usefulness of drugs which specifically block mechanisms involved in resistance to Docetaxel: DBZ and Cyclopamine (Saridegib). The results were statistically significant, showing that the combination of Docetaxel, Cyclopamine, DBZ and Dexamethasone (a steroid) was much more effective in inhibiting cancer growth than the standard Docetaxel and Dexamethasone treatment. However, the applicability of such quadruple chemotherapeutic combination may be limited by its toxicity.
The bottom line
These results are promising, laying the foundation for further research and improved therapeutic strategies in the near future.
The fine print
The main limitation of this study stems from the fact that results were obtained in the laboratory using cell cultures and mice. How this research will translate into human applications remains to be seen.
Published By :
Cancer cell
Date :
Sep 11, 2012
