Chemotherapy of advanced, hormonally resistant prostatic carcinoma

9 advanced prostate cancer patients were given a dose of 1-(2-chlorethyl-3[4-methyl cyclohexyl]-1-nitrosourea) (MeCCNU) 175 mg/m2 orally every 6 weeks. All of them had previously failed on hormonal therapy. 8 patients have progressed during the chemotherapy and only 1 was considered to be stable during a period of 18 weeks. Hematologic toxicity was seen in 3 patients. 21 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma who failed hormonal therapy were treated with a combination of estracyt (600 mg/m2/day) plus MeCCNU (175 mg/m2/6 weeks) in oral doses. 1 patient had stable disease for about 30 weeks and another one had a subjective response for 12 weeks. 11 patients had hematologic toxicity and 5 of them required dose modification. 10 patients with stage D carcinoma of the prostate were given oral estracyt at a dose of 600 mg/m2/day plus cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) at an intravenous dose of 60 mg/m2 twice a week repeated every 3 weeks plus methotrexate (MTX) at an i.v. dose of 100 mg/m2 twice a week, repeated every 3 weeks. All of the patients had failed on prior therapy. 9 patients are evaluable, 4 patients had an objective response and 2 others had a subjective response. 2 patients had hematologic toxicity (life threatening) and 2 others had a decrease in creatinine clearance to 60 mg/min and required dose modification. The combination of estracyt + DDP + MTX or a modification seems to be promising.