In attempts to better understand current treatment practices for men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC)--patients who have become resistant to hormonal therapy--UHN scientists have revisited a 2004 study to report updated analysis of survival findings from patients administered docetaxel and prednisone, or mitoxantrone and prednisone, combination therapies.

UHN-lead Dr. Ian Tannock and colleagues approached investigators from the 2004 TAX 327 for follow-up information on over 1,000 patients across 24 countries. The patients were treated with docetaxel every 3 weeks, weekly or with mitoxantrone every 3 weeks.

"What we've found in our investigations re-confirms previous findings," notes Dr. Tannock. "Treating with docetaxel every 3 weeks remains the preferred treatment option for most patients with metastatic HRPC."

The median survival of patients on this regimen was the longest of the three treatment option at 19.3 months. Overall, the chances of prolonging survival with this treatment strategy was similar among those patients with higher and lower disease burden as indicated by PSA levels.

J Clin Oncol. 2008 Jan 10;26(2):242-5. [Pubmed abstract]. Research supported by Sanofi-Aventis, Celgene, Centocor, Cytogen and Novartis.