Data on chemo's benefit in prostate Ca now published

Chemotherapy regimens using docetaxel (Taxotere) significantly reduced the risk of death by 24% and 20% in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, according to the results of two separate phase III studies published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine (2004; 351:1502-12 and 1513-20).

Results of the two large, multicenter trials-TAX 327 and SWOG 9916-were originally reported by Urology Times in July (page 1) following their release at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in New Orleans. The two trials included nearly 1,800 patients.

The SWOG trial investigators reported that docetaxel treatment yielded a significant, 27% increase in disease-progression-free survival and a significant, 55% increase in objective response rate.

"Taxotere is a new standard in the treatment of men with advanced prostate cancer because it can help some patients live longer," said Daniel Petrylak, MD, of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, who led the SWOG study.