Suramin, without concomitant corticosteroid therapy, was effective in slowing the growth of DU145 xenografts in nude mice at clinically relevant plasma suramin levels. The data showing efficacy for DU145 xenografts was supported by the lack of efficacy at the same time for xenografts of cells known to be less responsive to suramin in vitro, i.e. the SR DU145 cells, at similar doses and nadir plasma suramin levels. In discussions on the utility of suramin our data should be considered as support for continuing the study of suramin in the treatment of advanced, androgen-independent prostate cancer.