A Prospective Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Hormonal Therapy +/-Docetaxel

Docetaxel was shown to be active in metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (PC) in phase III trials (1-2). It is likely to demonstrate a substantial role in the management of early-stage PC patients in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, where clinical trials are underway.•53% of all men who undergo radical prostatectomy will develop prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevations in the 10 years following surgery, with approximately 77% of these recurrences occurring within the first 2 years.A prospective, multicenter, national, randomized, two-arm, phase III study comparing hormonal treatment (LH-RH agonist alone) with or without docetaxel was designed to evaluate the interest of chemotherapy in non-metastatic prostate cancer patients at high risk of systemic recurrence after initial treatment (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy). 1. PETRYLAK DP, et al: Docetaxel and estramustine compared with mitoxantrone and prednisone for advanced refractory prostate cancer. N Engl J Med 351:1513-1520, 2004 2. TANNOCK IF, de Wit R, Berry WR, et al: Docetaxel plus prednisone or mitoxantrone plus prednisone for advanced prostate cancer. N Engl J Med 351:1502-1512, 2004