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Chemotherapy of prostate cancer: Present and future

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Abstract

The role of chemotherapy in prostate cancer continues to evolve. In men with symptomatic androgen-independent prostate cancer, significant reduction in pain and analgesic requirements are achievable with mitoxantrone and glucocorticoid combinations compared with glucocorticoids alone. However, survival rates are not improved. Taxane-based combinations with estramustine phosphate or other new agents show promise. Prostate-specific antigen response rates with these combinations appear to be 1.5 to 2 times more frequent than with mitoxantrone-based combinations. Randomized trials of taxane versus mitoxantrone-based therapies are underway. New agents and applications of current agents in adjuvant settings should be explored if survival in men with prostate cancer is to be improved.

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  1. Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, 14263, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Donald Trump MD & Yiu-Keung Lau MD

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  1. Donald Trump MD
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  2. Yiu-Keung Lau MD
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Trump, D., Lau, YK. Chemotherapy of prostate cancer: Present and future. Curr Urol Rep 4, 229–232 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-003-0074-3

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