Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Chemotherapy Drugs and Prostate Cancer
Chemotherapy is a form of treatment that is generally used for more advanced cases of prostate cancer such as when a tumor has metastasized, or for reoccurring tumors. Chemo drugs work by killing cancer cells that are rapidly dividing. They also destroy healthy dividing cells throughout the body, such as the cells on the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, hair follicles, and bone marrow. This is why chemotherapy drugs are generally not used for the early stages of the disease — the side effects may outweigh the benefits.
How is chemotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer administered? Medications, such as doxorubicin or vinblastine are given intravenously or in pill form. The anti-cancer drugs travel though the bloodstream, attacking cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used after other options such as surgery and hormone therapy have not worked or can no longer work. All of the available options do have side effects and each medication has it’s own specific profile.
Docetaxel
Docetaxel is made from the needles of the yew tree. It is commonly used for advanced or reoccurring prostate cancer. It destroys cells by stiffening the microtubules within cells. This causes a cell to crumble and die rather than divide. Docetaxel belongs to a class of drugs known as the taxanes.
While this drug will not necessarily cure prostate cancer it has proved itself to be beneficial for patients. For those with advanced cases who are resistant to hormone therapy, docetaxel reduces the chance of death by as much as 24 percent. The side effects of taking this medication include fever, hair loss, nausea, and low blood counts. Prednisone is often given along with docetaxel to help with the side effects.
Mitoxantrone
This chemo drug for prostate cancer is known as an anti-tumor antibiotic. It acts by inhibiting the growth and maturation of the neoplastic cells of a tumor. Side effects include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, decreased white blood cell count, and bone marrow suppression. In some cases it has damaged the heart muscle. While mitoxantrone is not as effective at prolonging life as other drugs, it does improve the quality of life for advanced prostate cancer patients.
Cabazitaxel
Cabazitaxel is a new anti-cancer drug that was developed to treat patients who do not respond to other similar chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel. It was approved in early 2010 by the US Food and Drug Administration after clinical trials showed that patients lived an average of 15.1 months, as opposed to 12.7 months with the use of mitoxantrone.
Cabazitaxel does have the typical side effects — diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, constipation, renal failure, and weakness. It also depletes white blood cell counts and can cause a fever. The steroid prednisone is used to combat these symptoms. It is more of a last line of defense for advanced prostate cancer patients who did not respond to hormone therapy or to other taxane drugs.
Vinblastine
Vinblastine is another anti-tumor antibiotic that inhibits the growth and spread of neoplastic cells. When taken in conjunction with estramustine and radiation therapy it has shown significant tumor regression. Side effects include nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, jaw pain, headaches, constipation, hair loss, and diarrhea.
Doxorubicin
This drug is also an anti-tumor antibiotic. It works by binding to cell DNA and damaging nuclei. Doxorubicin comes from a strain of bacteria known as Streptomyces peucetius. It is always given intravenously and there is potential for pain and irritation at the injection site. Other side effects include hair loss, low white blood cell count, hair loss, and mouth sores. Only so much of this drug can be taken as it can affect heart health. Taking doxorubicin also poses some risk of developing blood cancer.
Using chemotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer comes with plenty of side effects and discomfort and no guarantee of destroying the tumor or even of having any effect on the cancer. On the other hand, it is at least an option for prostate cancer patients who are beyond the point of surgery and hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor about your options including any new drugs that may have been approved.
References
“Docetaxel Extends Life in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients.” (John Hopkins Medicine) https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press\_releases/2004/06\_07a\_04.html
Pollack, Andrew. “Positive Test for Sanofi Prostate Cancer Drug.” (The New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/health/research/04cancer.html
American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/GuidetoCancerDrugs/MITOXANTRONE
US National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9327153
Chemocare https://www.chemocare.com/bio/doxorubicin.asp
Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide https://www.prostate-cancer.com/chemotherapy/treatment-description/prostate-chemotherapy.html
WebMD https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/guide/prostate-cancer-chemotherapy
photo by: MConners