Treatment Information

Back

Prostate Cancer treatment details. Alternative.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Boston, Massachusetts
Treatments:AlternativeHospital:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Sep 2004

Description:

Patients: This Phase II study involved a total of 90 patients with hormone-refractory (androgen-independent) prostate cancer. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 of 46 patients and Group 2 of 44 patients. The median age for patients in Group 1 was 71.7 years and the median PSA was 46.7 (range 5.6 – 486.9). The median age for patients in Group 2 was 74.4 years and the median PSA was 29.4 (range 8.0 – 2548.8).

Treatment: For patients in Group 1, the treatment consisted of PC-SPES (an herbal mixture) with diethylstilbestrol (DES, a synthetic estrogen) administered if disease progressed. For patients in Group 2, the treatment consisted of diethylstilbestrol (DES) with PC-SPES (an herbal mixture) administered if disease progressed.

Toxicity: For patients in Group 1, toxicities included urinary frequency (grade 4), anorexia (grade 3), arterial ischemia (grade 3), and diarrhea (grade 3). For patients in Group 2, toxicities included grade 3 thrombosis/embolism, diarrhea, arterial ischemia, and anorexia.

Results: During the study it was found that the herbal mixture was adulterated and contained DES and the study was terminated. Interestingly, median time to progression (when the cancer returned or grew) was 5.5 months in Group 1 and 2.9 months in Group 2.

Correspondence: Eric J. Small, MD





Back