A phase II study of continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with epirubicin and cisplatin in metastatic, hormone-resistant prostate cancer: an active new regimen.

The aim of this phase II study was to examine the efficacy of combination chemotherapy comprising epirubicin, cisplatin and protracted infusion 5-fluorouracil in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. 21 patients were treated, of whom 9 (43%) responded for a minimum of 7 months. Continuation of previously effective second-line hormone therapies appeared to be a determinant of response; only 1 of 6 patients responded after its discontinuation. In a further 3 patients, response was only seen after re-introduction of previously effective hormone treatments. In patients of 70 years and under with prostate cancer resistant to androgen-deprivation therapy and who still have good performance status, ECF chemotherapy can achieve useful remissions.