Well-timed Docetaxel (Taxotere) therapy offers the best results in treating hormone-refractory prostate cancer

This article reports the results of recent studies involving the drug Docetaxel (Taxotere). The drug did not improve overall survival when added to androgen-deprivation therapy. Smaller doses given in shorter treatment cycles were found to be easier to tolerate and more effective.  

Prostate cancer grows in response to androgens (male sex hormones). Treatment of advanced disease includes androgen deprivation therapy (or ADT), which lowers the levels of androgens in the body and slows cancer progression.  
Docetaxel chemotherapy is currently reserved for cancers that are resistant to ADT.  

The first study reported in the article involved 395 men with metastatic prostate cancer (spread to other organs in the body). The objective was to determine if adding Docetaxel to ADT in ADT-responsive tumors offered an additional survival benefit. Unfortunately, the difference in overall survival was not significant. Side effects were also more common when the two therapies were given simultaneously.
 
The second study presented in the article aimed to determine if a lower dose of Docetaxel given in shorter treatment cycles was easier to tolerate. The findings showed that patients given a dose of 50 mg/m2 on the first day of 2-week cycles had fewer severe side effects than those given a higher dose of 75 mg/m2 on the first day of 3-week cycles. The 50 mg/m2 group also had better treatment results.  

Current chemotherapy regimens are constantly being adjusted according to new research results. This review covers two trials, altogether demonstrating that Docetaxel should be given in smaller, more frequent doses to reduce its side effects. When combined with ADT Docetaxel produces more frequent side effects.