The Role of Docetaxel and Other Chemotherapy Regimes in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common male cancer in the United States (192280 cases) 1 and Europe (382300) 2, excluding skin cancers. It is the third most common solid cancer in the United States behind lung and breast cancer 1, and the fourth most common in Europe. 2 It is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States (27360 deaths) 1 and the third most common in Europe (89300 deaths). 2 In the United States, the majority of men (91%) are diagnosed with localized disease and have a good prognosis with 100% 5-year survival. At diagnosis, 4% of men have metastatic disease, which is associated with a 32% 5-year survival 1. The mainstay of treatment for men with metastatic disease and for men with recurrence after radical therapy is hormonal treatment/androgen deprivation therapy. Eventually, though, androgen-deprivation selects out androgen-independent PCa cells.

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Europe and the United States. The majority of men diagnosed with this disease will have a good prognosis. Despite this a large number of men have advanced prostate cancer, with significant morbidity and poor survival, especially once it becomes castration-resistant. In the last decade, chemotherapy, in particular docetaxel, has played a greater role in the management of men with castration-resistant prostate cancer resulting in improved symptom-control, quality of life, and survival. Advances have also been made with second-line salvage therapies following disease progression on docetaxel.

Keywords

prostate cancer, castration-resistant prostate cancer, chemotherapy, mitoxantrone, estramustine, docetaxel, abiraterone