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Oral etoposide in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer
M H Hussain1, K J Pienta, B G Redman
1Section of Hematology/Oncology, VA Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan 48101.
Background:
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer generally remains a chemotherapy-resistant tumor and therefore warrants the continued evaluation of promising agents.
Methods:
Twenty-two eligible patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer were treated with oral etoposide at a dosage of 50 mg/m2/day for 21 days in a 28-day cycle. Response was evaluated using standard solid tumor response criteria.
Results:
There were two partial responses of 6 and 14 months' duration, respectively. Two patients had disease stabilization, one for 6 months and one for 12 months. Median survival was 31 weeks, with an overall 1-year survival of 30%. Reversible alopecia and myelosuppression were the primary toxicities noted.
Conclusions:
Single-agent oral etoposide has minimal activity in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.