A comparative clinical trial of adriamycin and 5‐fluorouracil in advanced prostatic cancer: Prognostic factors and response

Abstract

In patients with metastatic hormone‐relapsed adenocarcinoma of the prostate, adriarnycin was compared to 5‐fluorouracil in a randomized trial in 99 patients and adriamycin alone was studied in an open trial in 48 patients. Response to adriamycin was superior as judged by response of measurable disease (25 vs 8%; P <0.05) and survival (median 29 vs 24 weeks; Cox analysis, P <0.03), but comparable as judged by acid phosphatase response. Ambulatory status and site of metastases influenced rate of response to chemotherapy. Activity level, site of metastases, weight loss, and the symptom of protein aversion were prognostic factors for survival. Hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity were frequent but were tolerated satisfactorily. Adriamycin therapy may be beneficial in patients with prostatic cancer after hormone therapy.