Docetaxel Rechallenge in Patients with Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer — A Review

Abstract

Docetaxel rechallenges are considered to be an option for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who responded to first-line docetaxel therapy. The strategy was developed to satisfy the clinical need of fit patients progressing after first-line discontinuation who required an active treatment when no new active drugs were available. A number of reports concerning everyday clinical practice have demonstrated that a rechallenge strategy is safe, feasible and well-tolerated, and improves disease control. The current availability of new second-line drugs that increase patient survival means that the need for rechallenges has been questioned. In this paper, the published data concerning rechallenges are reviewed, concentrating on their use in the light of the availability of new drugs.