Bicalutamide in the treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma: a phase II noncomparative multicenter trial evaluating safety, efficacy and long-term endocrine effects of monotherapy.

PURPOSE: The safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of bicalutamide were investigated in 150 patients with stage D2 prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients received 50 mg. bicalutamide daily in an open label multicenter North American trial.

RESULTS

The objective response rate (modified European Organization for Research in Cancer Therapy criteria) was 70%. Of 150 patients 59 (39%) met prostate specific antigen criteria for partial response, and 88 (59%) reached treatment failure end points and withdrew. Extent of disease was a significant predictor of response but baseline testosterone was not. Breast pain and gynecomastia developed in 76% and 60% of patients, respectively. Mean drug plasma concentration was 8,528 +/- 2,928 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Bicalutamide (50 mg.) daily was well tolerated and efficacious. However, suboptimal effects on prostate specific antigen have led to additional trials to evaluate monotherapy at higher doses.