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TARGETED BONE THERAPY COULD IMPROVE SURVIVAL OUTCOME FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER (pp 326, 336)
January 31, 2001Patients responding to chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer could have increased survival times if specific therapy is targeted at sites of skeletal metastases, concludes research published in this week’s issue of THE LANCET.
Prostate cancer tends to spread to the bones, and there is a direct relation between the extent of bone involvement and patients’ survival. Individuals with progressive bony metastases and androgen-independent (resistant to hormonal therapy) prostate cancer have an average survival of 9 months or less.
Shi-Ming Tu and colleagues from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA, investigated the value of bone-targeted therapy in selected patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. They studied 103 patients who received induction chemotherapy, consisting of ketoconazole and doxorubicin alternating with estramustine and vinblastine. After two or three cycles of induction chemotherapy, they randomly assigned 72 patients who were clinically responding or stable to receive doxorubicin every week for 6 weeks with or without one dosage of strontium-89 (Sr-89).
Overall 62 of the 103 (60%) patients had a 50% or greater reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen concentration that was maintained for at least 8 weeks, and 43 (42%) had an 80% or greater reduction. Around half of patients with bone pain at registration had complete resolution of pain. After the follow-up of 67 patients until death, the estimated average survival for all 103 patients was 17.5 months. For the 36 patients randomly assigned to receive Sr-89 and doxorubicin, the median survival time was 27.7 months, and for the 36 who received doxorubicin alone it was 16.8 months
In an accompanying Commentary (p xxx), Alexandre Zlotta from University Clinics of Brussels, Belgium, comments: “Although this randomised trial does not provide definitive answers about the beneficial effect of doxorubicin plus strontium on survival of patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer, the data are strong enough to justify further work on bone-targeted therapies in such patients. It is a line of research worth pursuing in the search for means of modifying the course of this aggressive neoplasm and of prolonging the survival and improving the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer”.
Lancet
Overall 62 of the 103 (60%) patients had a 50% or greater reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen concentration that was maintained for at least 8 weeks, and 43 (42%) had an 80% or greater reduction. Around half of patients with bone pain at registration had complete resolution of pain. After the follow-up of 67 patients until death, the estimated average survival for all 103 patients was 17.5 months. For the 36 patients randomly assigned to receive Sr-89 and doxorubicin, the median survival time was 27.7 months, and for the 36 who received doxorubicin alone it was 16.8 months
In an accompanying Commentary (p xxx), Alexandre Zlotta from University Clinics of Brussels, Belgium, comments: “Although this randomised trial does not provide definitive answers about the beneficial effect of doxorubicin plus strontium on survival of patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer, the data are strong enough to justify further work on bone-targeted therapies in such patients. It is a line of research worth pursuing in the search for means of modifying the course of this aggressive neoplasm and of prolonging the survival and improving the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer”.
Lancet
Prostate Cancer Current Events and Prostate Cancer News RSSResearchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.
Common pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Young athletes need dual screening tests for heart defects, study suggests
To best detect early signs of life-threatening heart defects in young athletes, screening programs should include both popular diagnostic tests, not just one of them, according to new research from heart experts at Johns Hopkins.
Routine evaluation of prostate size not as effective in cancer screening, Mayo study finds
New Mayo Clinic research studied the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and prostate size and found that routine annual evaluation of prostate growth is not necessarily a predictor for the development of prostate cancer.
Carnegie Mellon researchers link health-care debate to risk of dying in US and Europe
The current health care debate in the United States is complicated. Trade-offs between heath care expenditures, lifestyle choices and life expectancy have been suggested but seldom clearly demonstrated.
New finding suggests prostate biopsy is not always necessary
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered that some elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men may be caused by a hormone normally occurring in the body, and are not necessarily a predictor of the need for a prostate biopsy.
Does prostate-specific antigen velocity help in early detection prostate cancer?
The November issue of European Urology, the official journal of the European Association of Urology, features an article focussing on prostate specific antigen (PSA) velocity and early cancer detection. It has been suggested that changes in PSA over time aid prostate cancer detection.
New Synthetic Molecules Trigger Immune Response to HIV and Prostate Cancer
Researchers at Yale University have developed synthetic molecules capable of enhancing the body's immune response to HIV and HIV-infected cells, as well as to prostate cancer cells. Their findings, published online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
Chemo-radiation before prostate removal may prevent cancer recurrence
Researchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center have found a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before prostate removal is safe and may have the potential to reduce cancer recurrence and improve patient survival.
Blood vessels might predict prostate cancer behavior
A diagnosis of prostate cancer raises the question for patients and their physicians as to how the tumor will behave. Will it grow quickly and aggressively and require continuous treatment, or slowly, allowing therapy and its risks to be safely delayed?
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Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, Second Edition by Patrick C. Walsh (Author), Janet Farrar Worthington (Author) EVERY MAN NEEDS THIS BOOK! Each year, more than 200,00 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is that more men are being cured of this disease than ever before. Now in a revised second edition, this lifesaving guide by Dr. Patrick Walsh and ard-winning science writer Janet Farrar Worthington offers a message of hope to every man facing this illness. Prostate cancer is a different disease in every man--which means that the right treatment varies for each man. Giving you a second opinion from the world's top experts in surgery, pathology, urology, and radiation and medical oncology, this book helps you determine the best plan for you. Learn:What causes prostate cancer--your risk factors, including heredity, diet, and environmentHow some simple changes in your... |
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The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Prostate Cancer (Cleveland Clinic Guides) by Eric Klein (Author) Expert medical advice from one of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals for urology and cancer care
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Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer Cookbook by David Ricketts (Author) Prostate cancer is now the most common nonskin cancer among men in the United States. In 2005 alone, 250,000 new cases were diagnosed, and that number is certain to rise with each passing year. No one is more aware of this than David Ricketts, experienced cookbook author and recent prostate cancer survivor. Shortly after surgery and radiation treatments, Ricketts began to research food and lifestyle changes that might inhibit the likelihood of prostate cancer as well as its progression. The result is this uniquely specific cookbook, which takes full advantage of foods thought to fight prostate cancer while eliminating those believed to contribute to the disease. Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer Cookbook features more than 200 delicious recipes for everything from snacks, sandwiches,... |
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Prostate and Cancer: A Family Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival by Sheldon Marks MD (Author) Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting American men, with over 186,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States annually; 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Renowned prostate cancer specialist Sheldon Marks offers the definitive guide for men concerned about or diagnosed with prostate cancer, and for their families. Since the third edition (2003), there have been significant changes in treatment and resources. Working with Dr. Judd Moul, the Chairman of Urology at Duke and one of the world’s top experts on prostate cancer, Marks provides the most up-to- date information on diagnosis, treatment, and common questions. |
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Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide for Men with Prostate Cancer by John P Mulhall (Author) In a straightforward style, Dr. John Mulhall guides the reader through the basics of male sexuality, explains the role of testosterone, the functions of the prostate, and the common difficulties men encounter when disease strikes. In plain language, this book spells out the causes and symptoms of prostate disease and diseases of the lower urinary tract and the approach to deal with the aftermath of treatment. |
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