TROPIC: Phase III trial of cabazitaxel for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

For patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), the current standard of care is chemotherapy involving the tubulin-binding taxane docetaxel. However, as the tumor cells become resistant to docetaxel-based therapy, disease progression is inevitable, and until recently there was no further available treatment beyond palliative care. In June 2010, cabazitaxel, a next-generation taxane, was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of mCRPC that has progressed after docetaxel therapy. This article describes the background and rationale of cabazitaxel's development and the clinical study program that led to its FDA approval, focusing on the Phase III TROPIC trial that demonstrated the efficacy of cabazitaxel plus prednisone in the treatment of mCRPC. Future development of this therapy and others under investigation is discussed.