Neoadjuvant for patients with high and very high risk prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: to assess safety, pathological response rate, and long-term oncologic outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel in prostate cancer (PCa) patients of high and very high risk groups. Materials and methods: 86 patients with high and very high risk PCa (PSA>20 ng/ml, Gleason score 8 and more, or clinical stage cT2c and more) were included, among them 46 received neoadjuvant (NCGT/RP group) treatment followed by RP and 40 patients received RP only, with a median follow-up of 11.4 years after RP. Neoadjuvant treatment included 3-week-ly docetaxel (75 mg/m* for up to 6 cycles) with concomitant degarelix (6 monthly injections). Results: NCGT cycle was started in 39 patients and completed in full dose and planned regimen in 34 (87.2%) patients. Toxicities were moderate. A statistically significant reduction of PSA>50% post-chemohormonal therapy was observed in all 39 cases. Among patients with completed neoadjuvant treatment RP was performed in 33 (97.1%) patients. Lower postoperative stage was noticed in 38.5% in NCGT/RP group compared with 2.7% in RP group. Similarly, positive surgical margin rate was higher in group without neoadjuvant therapy — 43.2% and 25.6% (RP group). Adjuvant or deferred treatment received 25 (67.6%) and 13 (39.4%) in RP and NCGT/RP group, respectively. Conclusion: The use of neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy before the RP in selected regimen and dose represents a safe strategy resulting in benefit in early oncological results. Given the limitations of the study this concept should be evaluated in large prospective controlled studies.