Table 2.
Summary of recent phase III trials of chemotherapy in androgen-independent prostate cancer
| Chemotherapeutic regimen | Tannock et al.[6] | Petrylak et al.[8] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Docetaxel (3-weekly and prednisone) | Mitoxantrone and prednisone | Docetaxel and estramustine | Mitoxantrone and prednisone | |
| Number of patients | 335 | 337 | 338 | 336 |
| Median age of the patients(age range) | 68(42-92) | 68(43-86) | 70(47-88) | 70(43-87) |
| Performance status | KPS < 70 (87%) | KPS < 70 (86%) | ECOG 0-1 (90%) | ECOG 0-1 (88%) |
| KPS > 70 (13%) | KPS > 70 (14%) | ECOG 2-3 (10%) | ECOG 2-3 (12%) | |
| Sites of disease: | Bone 90% | Bone 92% | Bone 84% | Bone 88% |
| Soft tissue 22% | Soft tissue 22% | Soft tissue 26% | Soft tissue 26% | |
| Median PSA (ng/ml) | 114 | 123 | 84 | 90 |
| Median survival | 18.9 months | 16.5 months | 17.5 months | 15.6 months |
| PSA response rates | 45% | 32% | 50% | 27% |
| Objective tumor responses (Radiologic) | 12% | 7% | 17% | 11% |
| Pain relief | 35% | 22% | Not reported. Not statistically different between the two arms | Not reported. Not statistically different between the two arms |