RATIONALE: Androgens can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy using exemestane plus bicalutamide may fight prostate cancer by reducing the production of androgens. It is not yet known if exemestane is more effective with or without bicalutamide in treating prostate cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of exemestane with or without bicalutamide in treating patients who have stage IV prostate cancer that has been previously treated with hormone therapy or surgery.
OBJECTIVES: * Compare the efficacy and tolerability of exemestane with or without bicalutamide as second-line therapy after failure of androgen suppression (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist or orchiectomy) in patients with stage IV prostate cancer. * Determine the potential antagonistic effect of the weak androgen action of exemestane when combined with bicalutamide in these patients. * Compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients treated with these regimens. * Correlate prostate-specific antigen response and data of QOL, including scores for pain intensity and analgesic consumption, in patients treated with these regimens. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to performance status (0 vs 1-2), pain (none or mild vs moderate or severe), and participating center. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients receive oral exemestane once daily. * Arm II: Patients receive exemestane as in arm I and oral bicalutamide once daily. Treatment in both arms continues every 4 weeks for a minimum of 2 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Quality of life and pain are assessed at baseline, on day 1 of course 2 and any subsequent courses, and at disease progression or treatment failure (if applicable). Patients are followed monthly until disease progression. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-62 patients (10-31 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Exemestane
Exemestane as in arm I and oral bicalutamide once daily
Kantonspital Aarau
Aarau, Switzerland
University Hospital
Basel, Switzerland
Inselspital, Bern
Bern, Switzerland
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Enrollment
5
Spitalzentrum Biel
Biel, Switzerland
Kantonsspital Bruderholz
Bruderholz, Switzerland
Ratisches Kantons und Regionalspital
Chur, Switzerland
Clinique De Genolier
Genolier, Switzerland
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Lausanne, Switzerland
Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana
Lugano, Switzerland
Ospedale Beata Vergine
Mendrisio, Switzerland
...and 2 more locations