Second-line therapy for castrate-resistant prostate cancer: a literature review

Despite a survival benefit in the first-line treatment of castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with docetaxel, the prognosis remains limited. There are increasing options available for patients with CRPC in the second-line setting, but there is currently little consensus regarding the optimal treatment. There have been numerous phase II and retrospective studies examining second-line options in CRPC, including retreatment with docetaxel, mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide and carboplatin, which can be associated with meaningful responses in a significant minority of patients. In 2010 three randomized trials were published or presented which demonstrated a survival benefit in the second-line setting. These included cabazitaxel compared with mitoxantrone, sipuleucel-T (immunotherapy) and abiraterone acetate versus placebo. Ongoing research in the second-line setting of CRPC to optimize treatment options, with the objectives of survival prolongation, improvement in quality of life and pain management, is still needed.