Oral etopside and cyclophosphamide combination in patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma

To evaluate the efficacy of oral etopside (VP16) and oral cyclophosphamide (CPM) combination in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).Methods Between June 2000 and July 2003,9 patients with HRPC were treated with oral etopside (50 mg/d) and oral cyclophosphamide (100 mg/d) for 21 days with every 28 days as a cycle.Inclusion criteria were previous complete androgen blockade,anti-androgen (flutamide) withdrawal evaluation,and clinical or biochemical disease progression.The therapy was continued until there was evidence of disease progression or the patients could not tolerate the adverse effects of the medications.Results All the 9 patients had a mean follow-up of 7.5 months.PSA levels decreased by at least 50%,from pre-treatment of (90.5±43.6) ng/ml to posttreatment of (24.8±22.2) ng/ml,in 4 patients.The mean duration of response was 6.8 months (range,2-15 months).An objective response was obtained in 2 patients (1 of CR and 1 of PR).Toxic and adverse effects were minimal.Conclusion The combination of oral VP16 and CPM may be an efficacious and well-tolerated regimen for patients with HRPC.11 refs.