Chemotherapy for metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND

The role of docetaxel chemotherapy in combination with androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer is emerging.

METHODS

We reviewed the results from the pivotal randomized phase III trials in this area: GETUG15, CHAARTED and STAMPEDE.

RESULTS

All three studies demonstrated a benefit in progression-free survival with the use of docetaxel. However, two of the studies demonstrated a clinically meaningful overall survival benefit (CHAARTED and STAMPEDE), whereas the GETUG15 study did not demonstrate a major benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel is an important option to consider for men who are fit for chemotherapy with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer commencing androgen deprivation therapy.