Second-Line Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Patient Characteristics and Survival

First-line chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with progressive castrate metastatic prostate cancer has been shown to improve overall survival compared with mitoxantrone-based therapies. The use and outcomes of chemotherapy after first-line antimicrotubule-based therapy have not been well described. Patients with progressive castrate metastatic prostate cancer enrolled on an antimicrotubule-based protocol for treatment were followed to determine their baseline characteristics and outcomes with second- or third-line systemic therapy. Of 108 patients treated with antimicrotubulebased therapy, 81% received second-line therapy, and 40% received third-line therapies. Corresponding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decreases ≥ 50% were observed in 72%, 15%, and 22% of patients. Median survival times from the start of first-, second-, and third-line therapy were 21 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18-25 months), 13 months (95% CI, 10-15 months) and 12 months (95% CI, 9-19 months). Significant prognostic indicators for survival in the second-line setting include pretreatment PSA level, alkaline phosphatase level, and performance status. Patients not fit to receive second-line therapy were more symptomatic with first-line therapy, as illustrated by a greater need for narcotic therapy (67% vs. 15%) and palliative radiation therapy after first-line therapy (57% vs. 10%) in lieu of second-line systemic therapy. Eighty percent of patients received second-line chemotherapy, with a median survival of 12 months from the start of second-line treatment. Although only 40% received third-line chemotherapy, median survival was similar to that of patients in the second-line setting. Our data show that patients who initiate chemotherapy with symptoms are more likely to require palliative radiation therapy rather than chemotherapy as second-line therapy. A sequential or continuous administration of therapy may optimize the care of this subset of symptomatic patients.