Cyclophosphamide-prednisolone therapy in advanced prostatic carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Urology

Background:

• Hormone-resistant prostate cancer presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Effective treatment options for advanced, disseminated prostate cancer are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone in patients with hormone-resistant disseminated prostate cancer.
• To assess objective tumor response, biochemical markers, pain relief, and duration of remission.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 83 patients with hormone-resistant disseminated prostate cancer received cyclophosphamide and prednisolone therapy.
• Objective signs of regression, acid phosphatase levels, pain scores, and remission duration were monitored.

Main Results:

• Objective regression of metastases was observed in 7 patients.
• Significant reduction in elevated acid phosphatase was noted in 11 patients, with 2 achieving normal levels.
• Pain relief was reported by 55 patients, with 26 experiencing very good relief.
• Remission duration was typically less than 6 months, though 2 patients had remissions exceeding one year.

Conclusions:

• Cyclophosphamide and prednisolone offer palliative benefits, including pain relief, for some patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer.
• The objective and biochemical responses observed were modest, and remissions were often short.
• Further research is needed to identify more durable treatment strategies for this patient population.