The evolving role of docetaxel in the management of androgen independent prostate cancer

Purpose: Androgen independent prostate cancer is an advanced disease with an extremely poor outcome. In view of this fact, a great deal of interest has recently been generated in the potential use of chemotherapeutic agents, particularly docetaxel. We reviewed the evolving role of docetaxel as a chemotherapeutic agent for the management of this disease. Materials and Methods: The main emphasis of this review is discussion of the various clinical trials that have investigated the use of docetaxel alone or combined with other agents for androgen independent prostate cancer. Results: Docetaxel, which acts primarily by inhibiting microtubular depolymerization, in combination with other agents has consistently demonstrated a palliative response, a decrease in serum prostate specific antigen levels by 50% or greater in more than 60% of patients, a decrease in measurable disease and the suggestion of improved survival. Conclusions: Docetaxel based regimens are moderately well tolerated and they have shown promising results in various phase 2 trials. The completion of ongoing phase III randomized trials are eagerly awaited since they may determine whether a definite beneficial impact on overall survival can be achieved.