Chemotherapy is currently used in metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
The key drugs are docetaxel and cabazitaxel since two large randomized trials have shown a survival benefit for docetaxel in first-line and cabazitaxel in second-line as compared to mitoxantrone during the last decade. Docetaxel and cabazitaxel belong to the taxane family and inhibit the polymerization dynamics of microtubules during the cell cycle. These are delivered every 3 weeks in an outpatient setting. The main side effects are neutropenia, alopecia, mucositis, diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy. The prophylactic use of hematopoietic growth factor (G-CSF) in patients older than 70 years reduces the risk of febrile neutropenia. Chemotherapy is primarily used in patients with symptomatic or rapidly progressive disease.
Written by:
Pouessel D, Serrate C, Gauthier H, Hennequin C, Culine S. Are you the author?
Service d'oncologie médicale, hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, 75010 Paris, France.
Reference: Rev Prat. 2013 Apr;63(4):511-4.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23682481
Article in French.
