Present Status and Perspectives in the Treatment of Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

Vol. 69, No. 4, 2005

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Present Status and Perspectives in the Treatment of Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer
Nicola Silvestris^a, Bernardo Leone^e, Gianmauro Numico^b, Vito Lorusso^c, Mario De Lena^d

Operative Units of Medical Oncology,
^aOncology Center Giorgio Porfiri, Latina,
^bSanta Croce e Carle General Hospital, Cuneo,
^cOncology Institute, Bari, and
^dScientific Direction, Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy;
^eGrupo Oncologico Cooperativo del Sur, Neuquén, Argentina

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2005;69:273-282 (DOI: 10.1159/000089676)

Key Words

Androgen deprivation
Chemotherapy
Hormone-refractory cancer
Prostate cancer
Radiotherapy

Abstract

The cornerstone in the treatment of de novo or recurrent metastatic prostate cancer is androgen deprivation. Unfortunately, nearly all patients will develop androgen-independent ('hormone-refractory') disease with progressive clinical deterioration and ultimately death. Chemotherapy has been shown to palliate symptoms of hormone-refractory disease but not to improve survival. Recently, two large phase III trials have demonstrated an overall survival advantage for patients treated with docetaxel-based regimens as compared to the best standard of care. Indeed, investigations into the pathophysiology of this malignancy, novel biological agents, skeletal protectants and radiopharmaceuticals are expanding the clinician's armamentarium and improving the patient's outcome.

Author Contacts

Mario De Lena, MD
Oncology Institute
Via Amendola 209
IT-70126 Bari (Italy)
Tel. +39 080 5555471, E-Mail mariodelena@yahoo.com

Article Information

Received: January 4, 2005
Accepted after revision: April 29, 2005
Published online: November 9, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 77

Medline Abstract (ID 16282706)

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