Significance of docetaxel in the chemotherapy of hormone-refractory prostate cancer

Docetaxel (Taxotere,) is a taxoid derived from the European yew tree, taxus baccata. In 4 phase-II studies docetaxel has important single agent activity with an overall prostate-specific antigen response rate of 42% in hormone refractory prostate cancer. Other phase-II studies suggest that the addition of estramustine to docetaxel results in a higher response rate but also in an increased toxicity. At present Docetaxel with and without estramustine is beeing evaluated in phase-III studies that will provide definitive information about its role in hormone refractory prostate cancer.