The use of ADT and docetaxel in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

This study aimed to discover if docetaxel (Taxotere) added to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) increases overall survival for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. This study found that overall survival was higher for patients who received ADT and docetaxel compared to those who took ADT.

A main treatment option for prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This blocks the male hormones, such as testosterone, responsible for cancer growth. Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug which can be used to increase overall survival for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The role of ADT with docetaxel is unclear.

This study included 790 patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. They were randomly assigned to receive either ADT in combination with docetaxel or ADT alone. Patients were followed for an average of 53.7 months.

Average overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) was higher (57.6 months) for patients who received ADT and docetaxel compared to 47.2 for those who took ADT. This increased overall survival was only significant for those that had high volume disease (cancer spread to other organs or bone). 

This study found that overall survival was higher for patients who received ADT and docetaxel compared to those treated with ADT alone.

This is a subgroup analysis, and the overall survival calculated was not statistically significant which could affect the strength of the trial.