Docetaxel in combination with prednisolone for hormone refractory prostate cancer

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in combination with prednisolone in Japanese patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer. Methods: Twenty patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) were administered a treatment regimen consisting of docetaxel 75 mg/m² once every 3 or 4 weeks and prednisolone 5 mg twice daily at our institution between 2006 and 2008. Results: The patients received a median of 5.5 cycles of treatment (range, 2-12 cycles). Nine of the 20 patients (45%) had a ≥50% decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The median duration of response was 4 months (range, 1-11 months). The number of cycles performed, the presence of bone metastasis and the extent of disease had statistically significant associations with the response. Three patients had a transient PSA rise among the patients who ultimately had a response. Grade 3/4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 80.0% and 85.0% of the patients, respectively. Interstitial pneumonia occurred in only one patient; however, the patient recovered. Finally, no treatment-related deaths were seen during the observation period. Conclusions: The combination of docetaxel 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks and prednisolone 10 mg daily was effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with HRPC. The results of this study suggest that a decision concerning discontinuation of this treatment should be carefully considered because a transient PSA rise was observed. Although interstitial pneumonia was rare, the potential risk of its development should be taken into consideration.