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.