Chemotherapy for hormone refractory prostate cancer

Recent trials in patients with advanced prostate cancer suggest that new regimens and agents are active in this disease. These drugs are aimed at specific cellular targets and make use of combinations that interact to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. Regimens incorporating estramustine in combination with both antimicrotubule agents and agents with activity at the nuclear matrix, anthracycline, anthracenedione, alkylating agents, and growth factor inhibitors have been shown to have substantial activity. The major benefit thus far is palliation of symptoms associated with the disease, but the efficacy of these regimens raises the possibility that chemotherapy may someday have an effect on the survival of patients with prostate cancer.