BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since previous studies have indicated there are improvements in overall survival, the aim of this phase II clinical study was to evaluate docetaxel every three weeks plus prednisone as first-line chemotherapy for treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer (HRMPC). METHODS: Thirty-five metastatic HRPC patients were treated with docetaxel 70 mg/m2 every 3 weeks plus oral prednisolone 5 mg twice daily at the clinical oncology departments of Tanta, Mansoura and Menofia University Hospitals during the period from June 2006 to December 2008. The primary endpoint was assessment of the overall tumor response rate. Secondary endpoints were assessment of PSA response rate, overall survival rate, and the time to disease progression. RESULTS: The median number of cycles administered was 6 cycles. Partial response was observed in 15 patients (42.9%) with evaluable measurable disease. Median survival from protocol entry was 15 months. Median timeto-disease progression was 10 months. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declined ≥ 50% in 9 patients (25.7%). The most common grade 3/4 toxicity associated with studied protocol was neutropenia (85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: When given with prednisone, treatment with docetaxel every three weeks does not improve survival, so the benefit of docetaxel-based therapy is not clear this high risk and poor prognostic group of pattients.

Background: The aim of this phase II clinical study was to evaluate three-weekly docetaxel plus prednisolone as firstline chemotherapy for treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer (HRMPC). Materials and Methods: Thirty five metastatic HRPC patients were treated with docetaxel 70 mg/m2 on Day 1, every 3 weeks plus oral prednisolone 5 mg twice daily at Clinical Oncology Departments, Tanta, Mansoura and Menofia University Hospitals during the period from June 2006 to December 2008. The primary endpoint was assessment of the overall tumor response rate. Secondary endpoints were assessment of PSA response rate, overall survival rate and the time to disease progression. Results: In 35 patients with metastatic HRPC, the median number of cycles administered was 6 cycles. Partial response was observed in 15 patients (42.9%) with evaluable measurable disease. Median survival from protocol entry was 12 months. Median time to disease progression was 9 months. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declined ≥50% in 9 patients (25.7%). The most common grade 34/ toxicity associated with studied protocol was neutropenia (85.7%). Conclusions: When given with prednisolone, treatment with docetaxel every three weeks lead to improved survival and response rates with accepted tolerability.

<b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:</b> The objective of this study was to assess the antitumor activity and toxicity profile of gemcitabine combined with epirubicin in patients with recurrent platinum refractory ovarian epithelial cancer. <b>PATIENTS AND METHODS:</b> Patients with recurrent platinum refractory ovarian cancer and with adequate hematologic, renal and hepatic function and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 - 2 were enrolled. The regimen was Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 (day 1, 8) and Epirubicin 60 mg/m2 (day 1), the cycle was repeated at interval of 21 days. <b>RESULTS:</b> Twenty eight patients were recruited and received 156 cycles of gemcitabine-epirubicin combination chemotherapy (median 6 cycles). Overall response rate was 42.9% (95% CI equal 24.5 to 62.7) and tumor control rate was 75% (95% CI equal 55.1 to 89.3). No complete responses were observed. Median progression-free and median overall survival times were 7 and 15 months, respectively. The most common grade 3/4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia (57.1%), anemia (10.7%), and thrombocytopenia (7.1%), while the most common grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were mucositis (14.3%) and vomiting (3.6%). No treatment related deaths were observed. <b>CONCLUSION:</b> Gemcitabine combined with epirubicin regimen appeared to offer an acceptable clinical profile in patients with recurrent platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian cancer