Treatment with prednisolone of hormone-refractory prostate cancer

Fifteen patients 60 to 80 years old (a mean of 72 years) with hormone-refractory prostate cancer were treated with low dose prednisolone. All patients had previously undergone hormone therapy. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) values decreased in 11 cases (73%), of which 4 had PSA decreases of 50% or greater. Serum levels of DHEAS significantly decreased at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (both intervals were p < 0.05 vs pretreatment). Of 8 patients with bone metastasis evaluation, 2 (25%) showed improvement of the lesion. In 5 patients (33%), relief of pain was observed one month after starting prednisolone. The one-year survival rate was 58%. The side effects were mild and manageable in an outpatient clinic.