Add on Docetaxel Improves Survival for Low-PSA Prostate Cancer Patients: JAMA

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-11-15T18:30:06+05:30 | Updated On 15 Nov 2023 6:30 PM IST

A recent study published in Journal of American Medical Association suggests that adding docetaxel to standard treatment could significantly improve their chances of survival in patients with high-grade prostate cancer and low levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

This comprehensive analysis of five prospective randomized clinical trials examined if supplementing standard treatment with docetaxel could reduce prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) and all-cause mortality (ACM) for a specific patients groups. These patients had nonmetastatic prostate cancer, a PSA level below 4 ng/mL, and a Gleason score of 8 to 10. Treatment commenced between February 21, 2006, and December 31, 2015, with a median follow-up period of 7.1 years.

Out of a total of 2184 patients studied, 145 individuals (6.6%) from four of the trials met the criteria. The data revealed that, when compared to standard care alone, patients treated with docetaxel experienced a lower but not statistically significant risk of ACM (HR, 0.51) and PCSM (sHR, 0.42). However, for patients with a performance status of 0 (indicating good health), the benefits became more pronounced. The risk of ACM reduced significantly (HR, 0.46), and PCSM significantly lowered (sHR, 0.30) in this group.

The findings are crucial for a specific subset of prostate cancer patients – those who are otherwise in good health, have a PSA level below 4 ng/mL, and possess a Gleason score of 8 to 10. For this group, adding docetaxel to their treatment regime appears to significantly improve their chances of survival, particularly in reducing prostate cancer-specific mortality. This could potentially represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of high-grade prostate cancer.

The results of study holds promise for refining treatment strategies for a specific group of prostate cancer patients who often face a higher risk of mortality. Further research and clinical trials may be necessary to validate these findings and determine the most effective treatment protocols. Such advancements could ultimately lead to better outcomes and an improved prognosis for this patient population.

Source:

Mahal, B. A., Kwak, L., Xie, W., Eastham, J. A., James, N. D., Sandler, H. M., Feng, F. Y., Brihoum, M., Fizazi, K., Sweeney, C., Ravi, P., & D’Amico, A. V. (2023). Mortality Risk for Docetaxel-Treated, High-Grade Prostate Cancer With Low PSA Levels. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 11, p. e2340787). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40787

JAMA Network Openprostate-specific antigendocetaxel

Source : JAMA Network Open

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751