Comparing Docetaxel and Epirubicin with Docetaxel and Prednisone in Prostate Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Petrioli R, Pascucci A, Conca R, Chiriacò G, Francini E, Bargagli G, Fiaschi A I, Manganelli A, De Rubertis G, Barbanti G, Ponchietti R, Francini G
Primary Institution: University of Siena
Hypothesis
Using the combined D/EPI schedule, at least 75% of patients would be progression free after 6 months from the start of chemotherapy.
Conclusion
The treatment of advanced CRPC with weekly D combined with weekly EPI was feasible and tolerable, and led to superior PFS than the treatment with 3-weekly D and oral P.
Supporting Evidence
- Median progression-free survival was 11.1 months in the D/EPI arm compared to 7.7 months in the D/P arm.
- Median survival was 27.3 months in the D/EPI arm compared to 19.8 months in the D/P arm.
- 83.7% of patients in the D/EPI arm were free from progression after 6 months compared to 57.1% in the D/P arm.
Takeaway
This study looked at two treatments for prostate cancer and found that one combination worked better than the other in helping patients live longer without their cancer getting worse.
Methodology
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either docetaxel and epirubicin or docetaxel and prednisone, with treatment continuing until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Potential Biases
There may be slight imbalances in baseline characteristics between the treatment groups.
Limitations
The study was monocentric and had a small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 72 years in the D/EPI arm and 70 years in the D/P arm, with a total of 32 patients in the D/EPI arm and 29 in the D/P arm having bone metastases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0002
Confidence Interval
95% CI 9.2–12.6 months for D/EPI and 95% CI 5.7–9.4 months for D/P
Statistical Significance
p=0.0002
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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