Prostate Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Prostate Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Anticancer effect of combination therapy of VP16 and fosfesterol in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Azuma H, Sakamoto T, Kiyama S, Ubai T, Kotake Y, Inamoto T, Takahara K, Nishimura Y, Segawa N, Katsuoka Y

Department of Urology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan. uro004@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp

OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to evaluate the safety profile and therapeutic value of a combination of etoposide and fosfestrol for treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). METHODS: Forty patients with HRPC were included in the study. The median age was 71 years (range, 50-86 years), the Gleason's score ranged from 5 to 10, and the median prostate-specific antigen level was 62.6 ng/mL (range, 4.738-30789 ng/mL). The patients received oral etoposide 25 mg/d and fosfestrol 300 mg/d. RESULTS: The response rate in terms of measurable disease, serum prostate-specific antigen level, and overall evaluation was 36.8% (CR: 18.4%; PR: 18.4%), 80% (CR: 55%; PR: 25%), and 40% (CR: 20%; PR: 20%) with a median duration of response of 13.6, 13.5, and 13.5 months, respectively. An objective clinical response for overall evaluation was shown by 90% (CR: 20%; PR: 20%; SD: 50%) of the patients, with a median response duration of 15.7 months; 16 patients (40%) are currently alive without recurrence after a median follow-up period of 21.2 months. The overall survival and progression-free survival was 30.5% and 28.8% at 40 months, respectively. No grade III toxicities occurred in any of the patients. Serial measurements in 34 patients using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate showed a significant improvement in quality of life as a result of the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of oral etoposide and fosfestrol is active in patients with HRPC. The regimen is tolerable and has a significant impact on quality of life as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate in a limited sample of patients.

Published 8 April 2008 in Am J Clin Oncol, 31(2): 188-94.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Prostate Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.