Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy Followed by Radical Prostatectomy: Feasibility and Preliminary Results

PURPOSE: We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of integrating chemotherapy and androgen ablation with radical prostatectomy in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. The neoadjuvant approach was adopted because it allows an in situ assessment of antitumoral activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients were enrolled who met the clinical criteria of stage T1–2, Gleason score of ≥ 8 or T2b-T2c, Gleason score of 7 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level greater than 10 ng/mL (n = 15), or clinical stage T3 (n = 18). Therapy consisted of 12 weeks of ketoconazole and doxorubicin alternating with vinblastine, estramustine, and androgen ablation followed by prostatectomy. The ability of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to induce a 20% rate of pT0 in the prostatectomy specimen as well as surgical feasibility were assessed. RESULTS: Chemotherapy complications were comparable to those reported with this regimen previously. No major intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperati...