Randomized phase II study of docetaxel plus estramustine and single-agent docetaxel in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel (Taxotere)-based regimens are the new standard therapy in advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). A synergistic activity has been shown with docetaxel in combination with estramustine in vitro; however, the benefit of this combination remains controversial in clinical practice. We assessed the activity and safety of docetaxel alone and docetaxel-estramustine in HRPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 92) with metastatic HRPC and rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) while receiving androgen suppression were randomized to 3-weekly treatment with either docetaxel 75 mg/m(2), day 1 (D), or docetaxel 70 mg/m(2), day 2, plus oral estramustine 280 mg twice daily, days 1-5 (DE). RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were treated (DE 47, D 44). A PSA response occurred in 68% (primary endpoint met) and 30% of patients, respectively. Median PSA response duration was 6.0 months in both groups. Median time to progression was 5.7 and 2.9 months, and median survival was 19.3 and 17.8 months in the DE and D arms, respectively. Hematologic and non-hematologic toxic effects were mild and similar in both arms. One patient in each group withdrew due to toxicity. Quality of life was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Combining estramustine with docetaxel in this schedule is an active and well-tolerated treatment option in HRPC.     

多西他赛联合泼尼松或米托蒽醌联合泼尼松治疗激素抵抗性前列腺癌

背景与目的：以多西他赛为核心的化疗方案已经成为激素抵抗性前列腺癌治疗的一线方案：本文初步比较多西他赛联合泼尼松或米托蒽醌联合泼尼松在雄激素抵抗性前列腺癌中的疗效差异，进一步探讨这两种方案的毒副反应。方法：入选雄激素抵抗性前列腺癌患者共83例，其中44例给予多西他赛75mg／m^2 d1静脉滴注联合泼尼松，5mg，每天2次，d1～21口服方案治疗（简称多西他赛组），39例给予米托蒽醌12mg／m^2 d1静脉滴注联合泼尼松，5mg，每天2次，d1～21口服方案治疗（简称米托蒽醌组）。两方案均以21天为1周期，平均治疗5周期：结果：多西他赛组中13．6％（6／44）完全缓解（治疗后PSA下降至4．0ng／ml以下），29．5％（13／44）部分缓解，29．5％（13／44）稳定，27．3％（12／44）进展。缓解和稳定患者的PSA进展中位时间是37．8周（12～101周）。进展的12例患者接受了后续的米托蒽醌组挽救治疗，结果部分缓解16．7％（2／12），稳定25．0％（3／12），2例患者死于疾病进展。米托蒽醌组中7．7％（3／39）完全缓解，25．6％（10／39）部分缓解，25．6％（10／39）稳定，41．0％（16／39）进展：缓解和稳定患者的PSA进展中位时间是25．3周（8～61周）。进展的14例患者接受了后续的多西他赛组方案的挽救治疗，结果完全缓解7．1％（1／14），部分缓解35．7％（5／14），稳定21．4％（3／14）．4例患者死于疾病进展：毒性评估：接受多西他赛组治疗者44例，Ⅲ～Ⅳ度骨髓抑制9例（2例因不能耐受化疗退出），Ⅱ度骨髓抑制14例；接受米托蒽醌组治疗者39例，Ⅲ～Ⅳ度骨髓抑制4例，Ⅱ度骨髓抑制12例。结论：多西他赛组或米托蒽醌组均是治疗雄激素抵抗性前列腺癌的有效化疗方案。两种方案对中国的前列腺癌患者的治疗效果比较接近，但米托蒽醌联合泼尼松的治疗方案的副作用略轻。两种方案交替使用仍可产生部分的反应率，两种方案可以互为挽救方案．且多西他赛联合泼尼松作为挽救方案疗效好于米托蒽醌联合泼尼松。     

Phase II study of sequential chemotherapy with docetaxel-estramustine followed by mitoxantrone-prednisone in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer

Sequential chemotherapy may improve treatment efficacy avoiding the additive toxicity associated with concomitant polichemotherapy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Forty patients received docetaxel 30 mg m(-2) intravenous (i.v.), weekly, plus estramustine 280 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. After 2 weeks rest, patients with a decline or stable PSA were treated with mitoxantrone 12 mg m(-2) i.v. every 3 weeks plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily for 12 cycles. Forty patients were assessable for toxicity after docetaxel/estramustine. Main toxicities were grade 3-4 AST/ALT or bilirubin increase in seven patients (17.5%) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in four patients (10%). Twenty-seven patients received mitoxantrone/prednisone. Main toxicities included DVT in one patient (3.7%) and congestive heart failure in two patients (7%). Thirty-nine patients were assessable for PSA response. Twenty-nine patients (72.5%; 95% CI 63-82%) obtained a >/=50% PSA decline with 15 patients (37.5%; 95% CI 20-50%) that demonstrated a >/=90% decrease. Median progression-free and overall survival were respectively 7.0 (95% CI 5.8-8.2 months) and 19.2 months (95% CI 13.9-24.3 months). In conclusion, although this regimen demonstrated a favourable toxicity profile, sequential administration of mitoxantrone is not able to improve docetaxel activity in patients with HRPC.     

A systematic review of the effectiveness of docetaxel and mitoxantrone for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer

A systematic review was performed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of docetaxel in combination with prednisolone (docetaxel is licensed in the UK for use in combination with prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Prednisone is not used in the UK, but it is reasonable to use docetaxel plus prednisone data in this review of docetaxel plus prednisolone) for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. A scoping search identified a trial of docetaxel plus prednisone vs mitoxantrone plus prednisone, but did not identify any trials comparing docetaxel plus prednisolone/prednisone with any other treatments. Therefore, we considered additional indirect evidence that would enable a comparison of docetaxel plus prednisolone/prednisone with other chemotherapy regimens and active supportive care. Systematic searching (upto April 2005) identified seven randomised controlled trials. One large well-conducted trial assessed docetaxel plus prednisone vs mitoxantrone plus prednisone; this showed statistically significant improvements with 3-weekly docetaxel in terms of overall survival, quality of life, pain response and PSA decline. Two other chemotherapy regimens that included docetaxel with estramustine also showed improved outcomes in comparison with mitoxantrone plus prednisone. Three trials that compared mitoxantrone plus corticosteroids with corticosteroids alone were identified and their results for overall survival combined, which showed very little difference between the two groups. The addition of clodronate to mitoxantrone plus prednisone showed no significant differences in comparison with mitoxantrone plus prednisone alone. The evidence suggests that chemotherapy regimens containing 3-weekly docetaxel are superior to mitoxantrone or corticosteroids alone.     

Phase I trial of the combination of daily estramustine phosphate and intermittent docetaxel in patients with metastatic hormone refractory prostate carcinoma

Background: To apply our preclinical findings of cytotoxic synergy with the combination of estramustine phosphate (EP) and docetaxel as the basis of treatment of hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer in man. To determine the optimal dosage and the toxicities of these two agents for future trials.Patients and methods: Seventeen patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer who were ambulatory with performance status 2, normal marrow, renal and hepatic function were entered. Prior exposure to EP or a taxane were exclusion factors. EP was given orally at a dose of 14 mg/kg of body weight daily with concurrent docetaxel administered every 21 days as an intravenous infusion over 1 hour with dexamethasone 8 mg. PO BID for five days. EP dosages were kept static; docetaxel dosages were explored in a minimum of three patients per level for dosages of 40, 60, 70, and 80 mg/m2. Patients were evaluated weekly. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) was measured every three weeks.Results: Five patients were entered at a docetaxel dose of 40 mg/m2, three at 60 mg/m2, six at 70 mg/m2, and three at 80 mg/m2. Only one patient had received prior chemotherapy. Grades 1 or 2 hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia were seen at all dosage levels. Other grade 2 or less toxicities not related to dosage included alopecia, anorexia, stomatitis, diarrhea, and epigastric pain. Dose limiting toxicities (DLT) as grade 4 leukopenia and grade 4 fatigue were seen at 80 mg/m2. The phase II dose was defined at 70 mg/m2 with rapidly reversible leukopenia and minor liver function abnormalities. At this dosing level, dose intensity was 88% and 86% over consecutive cycles for docetaxel and EP, respectively. Two vascular events occurred at this dose level (70 mg/m2): one arterial and the other venous. PSA decreases greater than 50% from baseline were seen in 14 of 17 patients at all dosage levels. Four of the 17 patients demonstrated a complete biochemical response (PSA 4 ng/ml). One patient had a partial response with measurable lung and liver lesions.Conclusion: EP given continuously with every three-week docetaxel at a dose of 70 mg/m2 is tolerable with evidence of antitumor activity based upon significant declines in PSA in the majority of patients and improvement of lung metastasis in one patient. Larger phase II studies of this combination in a homogenous population are warranted.     

Long-term outcome of a phase II study of weekly docetaxel with a short course of estramustine and enoxaparine in hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients

Objective The objective was to define the toxicity and activity of weekly docetaxel administered with a short course of estramustine and enoxaparine in patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC). Patients and methods Twenty-four patients were treated with the next regimen: weekly docetaxel 36 mg/m² iv for three consecutive weeks every 28 days, and estramustine 280 mg three times a day for three consecutive days beginning the day before docetaxel (days 1–3, 8–10 and 15–17). In order to prevent thromboembolic events, 40 mg of subcutaneous enoxaparine was administered daily sc on the same days as estramustine. Primary endpoints were: toxicity, especially the presence of thromboembolic events, PSA response rate and response in measurable disease. Secondary endpoints were: time to PSA progression and overall survival. Results Nineteen of 24 patients (79.1%, 95% CI 71–87%) had a PSA response ≥50%. Four of the eleven patients with measurable disease had a partial response. The median time to PSA progression was 7 months (CI 95%: 6.5–9) and the median survival was 19 months (IC 95%: 11–24). Toxicity was manageable with no treatment-related mortality. Only two patients had grade 4 neutropenia. Two patients had thrombotic events, one deep venous thrombosis and one stroke. The main grade 3 non-haematologic toxicity was diarrhoea and asthenia, both in 25% of patients. Conclusions Weekly docetaxel with a short course of estramustine and enoxaparine is active and tolerable in HRPC patients. The observed incidence of thrombosis was lower than previously reported but the association of enoxaparine was not enough to completely prevent the thromboembolic events.     

Weekly administration of docetaxel in combination with estramustine and celecoxib in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer: final results from a phase II study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of weekly docetaxel, estramustine and celecoxib in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Forty-eight patients received 35 mg m(-2) of weekly docetaxel for 3 out of every 4 weeks, 280 mg of estramustine twice daily on days 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 400 mg of celecoxib twice daily until progression or toxicity. Cycles were repeated every 28 days for at least six cycles. Patients were evaluated for response and toxicity. Patients received a median of four cycles (range: 1-9). On an intention-to-treat analysis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was decreased greater than 50% in 28 out of 48 patients (overall response rate: 58%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 44-72) and median duration of PSA response was 8.0 months (95% CI: 6.9-9.0). After a median follow-up of 11.3 months, the median time to progression was 7.1 months and the median overall survival was 19.2 months. The most frequent severe toxicity was asthenia (15% of patients), diarrhoea and stomatitis (8% of patients, each). Grade 3/4 neutropenia was reported in two patients. There was a toxic death during the study due to a gastric perforation. Celecoxib with weekly docetaxel and estramustine is an effective and safe treatment for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, but it does not seem to add any benefit to docetaxel.     

Combined anti-microtubule therapy: a phase II study of weekly docetaxel plus estramustine in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel and estramustine exert anti-tumor effects by inhibiting microtubule function. In vitro data suggest synergism with this combination. This phase II study evaluated the response rate and toxicity of docetaxel and estramustine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) on day 2 and estramustine phosphate 280 mg p.o. tds days 1-3 weekly for 3 of 4 weeks, for a maximum of six treatment cycles. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled between August 1999 and March 2001; 36 were eligible. Of 31 evaluable patients, responses were observed in 15 patients (47%); two patients (6%) obtained a complete response. Median time to treatment failure was 6 months; median survival was 1 year. Thromboembolic toxicity occurred in 11% of patients: three experienced deep venous thromboses and one had a fatal pulmonary embolism. Myelosuppression was minimal with this regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Despite modest activity in metastatic breast cancer, the toxicity observed with the combination of estramustine and docetaxel precludes the routine use of this combination in the treatment of breast cancer. Further studies using this compound in metastatic breast cancer are not warranted.     

A phase 2 study of carboplatin plus docetaxel in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer who are refractory to docetaxel

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among men in the U.S. To the authors' knowledge, there is no proven, effective, second-line therapy for docetaxel-refractory disease. Recent data suggest that platinum salts may be effective when combined with taxanes in metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). The authors conducted a phase 2 trial of docetaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy in this disease setting. METHODS: Eligible men had metastatic HRPC that had progressed during or within 45 days after the completion of docetaxel-based chemotherapy. Patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) plus carboplatin at an area under the curve of 4 once every 21 days until they had either disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled. Therapy was tolerated reasonably well; Grade 3 leukopenia (graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria grading system) was the most common adverse event (experienced by 56% of patients), but there was only 1 episode of febrile neutropenia reported. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declines > or =50% were noted in 18% of patients, and measurable responses were observed in 14%. The median duration of PSA response was 5.7 months. The median progression-free survival was 3 months, and the median overall survival was 12.4 months. Patients were more likely to respond to the combination if they previously had responded to docetaxel. CONCLUSIONS: In men with HRPC who developed progressive disease during or shortly after treatment with docetaxel, the addition of carboplatin resulted in modest additional activity. Taxane-refractory HRPC is an area of unmet need, and the current trial has provided evidence that platinum chemotherapy may be an important therapeutic option.     

多西紫杉醇治疗激素非依赖性前列腺癌临床研究新进展

预后较差的激素非依赖性的前列腺癌,目前的治疗方法主要是化疗.米托蒽醌和雌莫司汀都是已经FDA批准的可以用于治疗前列腺癌的化疗药物.两种药物与单用激素相比,未延长患者的生存时间.2004年全美临床肿瘤年会(ASCO)上,报告了两项多西紫杉醇联合化疗治疗激素难治性前列腺癌的临床研究,结果显示能明显改善生存.     

Ixabepilone,mitoxantrone, and prednisone for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer after docetaxel‐based therapy

BACKGROUND:

Mitoxantrone plus prednisone and ixabepilone each have modest activity as monotherapy for second‐line chemotherapy in patients with docetaxel‐refractory castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Clinical noncross‐ resistance was previously observed. Phase 1 testing determined the maximum tolerated dose and dose‐limiting toxicities with the combination regimen; a phase 2 study was conducted to evaluate the activity of the combination.

METHODS:

Patients with metastatic progressive castration‐resistant prostate cancer during or after 3 or more cycles of taxane‐based chemotherapy enrolled in a phase 2 multicenter study of ixabepilone 35 mg/m² and mitoxantrone 12 mg/m² administered on Day 1 every 21 days with pegfilgrastim support, along with prednisone 5 mg twice daily. Patients were evaluated for disease response and toxicity.

RESULTS:

Results are reported for the 56 evaluable patients. Twenty‐five (45%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31%‐59%) experienced confirmed ≥50% prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) declines, 33 (59%; 95% CI, 45%‐72%) experienced confirmed ≥30% PSA declines, and 8 of 36 patients (22%; 95% CI, 10%‐39%) with measurable disease experienced objective responses. Median time to PSA or objective progression was 4.4 months (95% CI, 3.5‐5.6), and median progression‐free survival was also 4.4 months (95% CI, 3.0‐6.0). Median overall survival was 12.5 months (95% CI, 10.2‐15.9). Thirty‐two percent of patients experienced grade 3 of 4 neutropenia, and 11% experienced grade 3 or higher neutropenic infections, including 1 treatment‐related death. Grade 2 and 3 neuropathy occurred in 11% and 12.5% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that the combination of ixabepilone and mitoxantrone is both feasible and active in castration‐resistant prostate cancer and requires dosing with pegfilgrastim. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Docetaxel and epirubicin compared with docetaxel and prednisone in advanced castrate-resistant prostate cancer: a randomised phase II study

Background:

This randomised phase II study compared the activity and safety of the combination docetaxel (D)/epirubicin (EPI) with the conventional treatment D/prednisone (P) in advanced castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients.

Materials and methods:

Patients were randomly assigned to D 30 mg m⁻² as intravenous infusion (i.v.) and EPI 30 mg m⁻² i.v. every week (D/EPI arm), or D 70 mg m⁻² i.v. every 3 weeks and oral P 5 mg twice daily (D/P arm). Chemotherapy was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Results:

A total of 72 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to treatment: 37 to D/EPI and 35 to D/P. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.1 months (95% CI 9.2–12.6 months) in the D/EPI arm and 7.7 months (95% CI 5.7–9.4 months) in the D/P arm (P=0.0002). The median survival was 27.3 months (95% CI 22.1–30.8 months) in the D/EPI arm and 19.8 months (95% CI 14.4–24.8 months) in the D/P arm (P=0.003). Both regimens were generally well tolerated.

Conclusion:

The treatment of advanced CRPC with weekly D combined with weekly EPI was feasible and tolerable, and led to superior PFS than the treatment with 3-weekly D and oral P.     

Gemcitabine and docetaxel in metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer: results from a phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND:

Docetaxel is the standard of care for patients with metastatic, castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue with broad antitumor activity. In a phase 2 study of combined docetaxel and gemcitabine, the authors assessed its safety and activity in patients with chemotherapy‐naive, metastatic CRPC.

METHODS:

Eligible patients had untreated, metastatic CRPC with radiologic and/or biochemical evidence of progression after antiandrogen withdrawal with castrate testosterone levels, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology performance status (ECOG PS) of 0 to 2, and adequate organ function; no previous chemotherapy was permitted. Patients received gemcitabine (800 mg/m²) Days 1 and 8 and docetaxel (75 mg/m²) on Day 8 every 21 days for a maximum of 6 cycles. Response was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) for measurable disease. A prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response was defined as a decline ≥50% in baseline PSA level.

RESULTS:

Thirty‐five patients with chemotherapy‐naive, metastatic CRPC were enrolled. The median age was 67 years, and 60% of patients had an ECOG PS of 0. PSA responses were observed in 49% of patients. Among the patients who had measurable disease (n = 25), 3 patients (12%) had a confirmed, RECIST‐defined partial response (PR); 4 patients (16%) had an unconfirmed PR; and 15 patients (60%) achieved stable disease. The most common adverse events included grade 1 and 2 fatigue (69%), alopecia (80%), and nausea/vomiting (54%). No treatment‐related deaths were noted, but an unusually high incidence of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The efficacy of combined gemcitabine and docetaxel in metastatic CRPC was similar to that observed with single‐agent docetaxel. In contrast to single‐agent docetaxel, the combination was moderately toxic and had an impact primarily on bone marrow reserve. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Multicenter randomized phase II study of two schedules of docetaxel, estramustine, and prednisone versus mitoxantrone plus prednisone in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Mitoxantrone-corticosteroid is currently the standard palliative treatment in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients. Recent clinical trials documented the high activity of the docetaxel-estramustine combination. We conducted a randomized phase II study to evaluate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response (primary end point) and safety of two docetaxel-estramustine-prednisone (DEP) regimens and mitoxantrone-prednisone (MP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty metastatic HRPC patients were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel (70 mg/m2 on day 2 or 35 mg/m2 on days 2 and 9 of each 21-day cycle) and estramustine (280 mg p.o. tid on days 1 through 5 and 8 through 12) or mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2 every 3 weeks; all patients received prednisone (10 mg daily). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients were assessable for PSA response and safety. A > or = 50% PSA decline was found in a greater percentage of patients in the docetaxel arms (67% and 63%) compared with MP (18%; P = .0001). Median time to PSA progression was five times longer with DEP than with MP (8.8 and 9.3 v 1.7 months, respectively; P = .000001). Overall survival was better in the docetaxel arms (18.6 and 18.4 months) compared with the MP arm (13.4 months), but not significantly so (P = .3). Crossover rates differed significantly among treatment arms (16%, 10%, and 48% in arms A, B, and C, respectively; P = .00001). Treatment-related toxicities were mild and mainly hematologic. CONCLUSION: The results of this randomized phase II study showed significantly higher PSA decline < or = 50% and longer times to progression in HRPC patients receiving DEP-based chemotherapy than MP, and that DEP could be proposed in this setting.     

Silibinin synergizes with mitoxantrone to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

The purpose of these experiments was to assess the synergistic activity of silibinin with chemotherapy agents in clinical use against prostate cancer. Silybin-phytosome, a commercially available formulation containing silibinin, has recently been studied in a phase I clinical trial. The silibinin doses used in the present study are clinically achievable based on the preliminary phase I data. DU145, PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells were seeded in 96-well plates in triplicate. Twenty-four hours later, silibinin (10, 20 and 40 microM) and either mitoxantrone or docetaxel were added to the designated wells. Seventy-two hours post-treatment, cell viability was determined with a tetrazolium-based assay. The combination index (CI) for determination of a synergistic effect was calculated, with values of <0.9 indicating synergy and values >1.1 antagonism. Apoptosis was also assessed using a luminescent assay after 72 hr of treatment with media alone, silibinin, mitoxantrone, or silibinin plus mitoxantrone. Silibinin showed a synergistic effect with mitoxantrone, as measured by reduction in cell viability. The CI values ranged from 0.413 to 2.650 for the combination of silibinin and mitoxantrone; in contrast, treatment with docetaxel and silibinin showed little or no synergy, with CI values of 0.898-4.469. In concordance with these findings, the addition of silibinin increased the level of apoptosis compared to mitoxantrone alone, particularly in the PC-3 cells. The combination of silibinin and mitoxantrone exhibits a pattern of synergy in reducing cell viability with increased apoptosis. These data are important in the planning of future clinical applications of silibinin.     

Dasatinib combined with docetaxel for castration-resistant prostate cancer: results from a phase 1-2 study

BACKGROUND:

To determine the potential efficacy of targeting both the tumor and bone microenvironment in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (PC), the authors conducted a phase 1‐2 trial combining docetaxel with dasatinib, an oral SRC inhibitor.

METHODS:

In phase 1, 16 men received dasatinib 50 to 120 mg once daily and docetaxel 60 to 75 mg/m² every 21 days. In phase 2, 30 additional men received dasatinib 100 mg once daily/docetaxel 75 mg/m² every 21 days. Efficacy endpoints included changes in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), measurable disease, bone scans, and markers of bone metabolism. Safety and pharmacokinetics were also studied.

RESULTS:

Combination dasatinib and docetaxel therapy was generally well tolerated. Thirteen of 46 patients (28%) had a grade 3‐4 toxicity. Drug‐drug interactions and a maximum tolerated dose were not identified. Durable 50% PSA declines occurred in 26 of 46 patients (57%). Of 30 patients with measurable disease, 18 (60%) had a partial response. Fourteen patients (30%) had disappearance of a lesion on bone scan. In bone marker assessments, 33 of 38 (87%) and 26 of 34 (76%) had decreases in urinary N‐telopeptide or bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase levels, respectively. Twenty‐eight patients (61%) received single‐agent dasatinib after docetaxel discontinuation and had stabilization of disease for an additional 1 to 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

The high objective response rate and favorable toxicity profile are promising and justify randomized studies of docetaxel and dasatinib in castration‐resistant PC. Parallel declines in levels of PSA and bone markers are consistent with cotargeting of epithelial and bone compartments of the cancer. Treatment with single‐agent dasatinib following docetaxel cessation warrants further study. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

Diethylstilbestrol and docetaxel: a Phase II study of tubulin active agents in patients with metastatic, androgen-independent prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: The addition of diethylstilbestrol to docetaxel modified tubulin composition and improved the response of prostate cancer to chemotherapy in preclinical models. An attempt was made to recapitulate the observations in a clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with progressive, metastatic, chemotherapy-naive androgen-independent prostate cancer were treated with diethylstilbestrol 1 mg daily and 5 mg on the day before docetaxel and docetaxel 36 mg/m(2) intravenously weekly for 3 weeks of a 4-week cycle. Prophylactic anticoagulation was used in all patients. Patients were assessed by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monthly and computed tomography (CT) and bone scans every 3 cycles. The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria and PSA decline by >50% maintained for 4 weeks were used to assess activity. RESULTS: The median age was 68 years (range, 56-84 years), Southwest Oncology Group performance status 0 (score range, 0-2), alkaline phosphatase 120 U/L (range, 49-523), hemoglobin (Hgb) 12.6 g/dL (range, 9.2-16.3), PSA 66 ng/dL (range, 4-1962). The median number of cycles administered was 6. Soft tissue metastases were present in 51% of patients and bone metastases in 93%. Twenty-nine patients are evaluable for response. Of these, 20 patients (69%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 49%-85%) had a PSA decline of >50% and the PSA declined by >90% in 12 patients (41%, 95% CI, 23.1%-58.9%). Of 15 patients with measurable disease, 6 (40%, 95% CI, 23.5%-61%) had a partial response. Median time to progression was 6 months (range, 3-19 months). Fifteen patients (51%) suffered grade 3/4 toxicity. Two patients died of causes unrelated to therapy and another died from a steroid-induced ulcer. Six patients developed thrombosis and of those tested 75% had Factor V mutations. Pretreatment PSA, performance status, Hgb, and alkaline phosphatase had no impact on the likelihood of response. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of diethylstilbestrol and docetaxel produces a significant level of activity, measured by PSA decline and measurable disease response rate, and except for venous thrombosis the toxicity appears similar to that seen with docetaxel plus prednisone. These results suggest that tubulin modulation with diethylstilbestrol may improve the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel and the combination is worthy of further study.     

A randomized phase II study of sequential docetaxel and doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel has yielded promising response rates as a component of doxorubicin-based combination schedules in patients with metastatic breast cancer, including docetaxel/doxorubicin and docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC). This randomized two-stage phase II study was conducted to evaluate sequential treatment with docetaxel and AC as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer previously untreated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients were randomized to either docetaxel (100 mg/m(2)) on day 1 of a 21-day cycle for three cycles followed by AC (60/600 mg/m(2)) on day 1 of a 21-day cycle for three cycles (n = 17) or vice-versa (n = 16), without prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. In addition, we compared pre-treatment serum sErbB1 and sErbB2 protein concentrations with that of an age- and menopausal status-matched group of healthy women, and examined changes in serum sErbB1 and sErbB2 protein concentrations in these two treatment schedules. Data from each one of the two arms of the trial (docetaxel then AC, or AC and then docetaxel) were analyzed separately. RESULTS: Enrollment was suspended after the first-stage of accrual, based on statistical design. Confirmed objective response rates after six cycles of treatment were 35% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14% to 62%] with docetaxel then AC and 38% (95% CI 15% to 65%) with AC then docetaxel. Dose reductions were frequent and mostly due to grade 4 neutropenia. Median survival time was 2.5 years in the docetaxel then AC group, and 1.1 years in the AC then docetaxel group. Serum sErbB1 concentrations were not significantly different between the study patients and healthy women, and did not change significantly after three and six cycles of treatment. In contrast, serum sErbB2 concentrations were significantly higher in the study patients compared with healthy women and tended to decrease after three and six cycles of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Response rates at the end of six cycles of treatment, which led to termination of accrual after the first stage using either the sequence of docetaxel first or docetaxel after AC chemotherapy, were lower than anticipated. However, median survival times and median progression-free survival times are similar to those reported in other studies. These data further suggest that additional studies to assess whether serum sErbB2 concentrations are useful predictors of responsiveness to chemotherapy are warranted.     

Sequential or alternating administration of docetaxel (Taxotere) combined with FEC in metastatic breast cancer: a randomised phase II trial

The aim of this study, using a Fleming single-stage design, was to explore the efficacy and safety of Taxotere 100 x mg x m(-2) docetaxel and FEC 75 cyclophosphamide 500 mg x m(-2), fluorouracil 500 x mg x m(-2) and epirubicin 75 mg x m(-2), in alternating and sequential schedules for the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. One hundred and thirty-six women were randomly allocated, to one of three treatment regimens: DTX 100 plus FEC 75, alternated for eight courses (ALT); four courses of DTX 100 followed by four courses of FEC 75 (SEQ T); or four courses of FEC 75 followed by four courses of DTX 100 (SEQ F). One hundred and thirty-one women were evaluable for tumour response. Although the treatment outcome was equivalent in the two sequential arms and the alternating regimen (P=0.110, not significant), the response rate was less encouraging in the SEQ F arm (52.3%) than in the other two arms (71.1% for ALT and 70.5% for SEQ T), in which docetaxel was administered first. Time to progression was similar in the ALT, SEQ T and SEQ F arms (9.5, 9.3 and 10.4 months respectively). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in nearly all patients; febrile neutropenia occurred in 9% (ALT), 16% (SEQ T) and 2% (SEQ F) of patients. Few patients (< or =9%) developed grade 3-4 non-haematological toxicities. Relative dose intensity was 97-99% for all regimens. All treatment regimens were active and well tolerated.     

Oral estramustine and cyclophosphamide in patients with metastatic hormone refractory prostate carcinoma: a phase II study

BACKGROUND: Nearly all cases of metastatic prostate carcinoma progress, after hormonal ablation, to a hormone refractory status. To the authors' knowledge no standard chemotherapy for patients with hormone refractory prostate carcinoma (HRPC) exists. In a prospective study, the efficacy and toxicity of an oral combination of estramustine and cyclophosphamide were evaluated. METHODS: Between March 1996 and April 1998, 32 consecutive patients (median age 74 years; range, 53-84 years) with metastatic HRPC were treated with oral estramustine (10 mg/kg/day) and oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg/day) for 14 days every 28 days. Inclusion criteria were previous complete androgen blockade, antiandrogen withdrawal evaluation, and clinical or biochemical disease progression. Response assessment was based on a decrease > or =50% in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level associated with improvement (or no worsening) in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) and relief of bone pain (if present). RESULTS: All patients were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. PSA levels decreased by at least 50% in 14 patients (43.7%) (95% confidence interval, 26.5-60.9), remained stable in 12 patients (37.5%), and rose in 6 patients (18.8%). ECOG PS was 0 in 5 of 14 patients, improved from 1 to 0 in 7 patients, and remained unchanged in 2 patients. Bone pain, present in 8 of 14 patients, disappeared in 7 and was partially relieved in 1. The median duration of response was 30 weeks (range, 8-88+ weeks). An objective partial response was obtained in two cases. Toxicity was mild and mainly gastrointestinal (World Health Organization [WHO] Grade 1). No cases of WHO Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The oral combination of estramustine and cyclophosphamide appears to be safe and effective in patients with HRPC. In responding patients its use shows a clinical benefit in terms of improvement of ECOG PS and pain control.