A Randomized Phase II Trial of Mitoxantrone, Estramustine and Navelbine or 13-cis Retinoic Acid, Interferon and Paclitaxel in Patients With Metatstatic Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

• Compare the effect of estramustine, mitoxantrone, and vinorelbine vs isotretinoin, interferon alfa, and paclitaxel on PSA response in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
• Determine the toxic effects of each regimen in this patient population.
• Determine the effect of each regimen on pain, fatigue, and quality of life in these patients.
• Determine the objective response rate among the subset of patients who have bidimensionally measurable disease to each regimen after treatment.
• Determine the effect of each regimen on peripheral blood mononuclear cell BCL-2 in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to disease (measurable vs nonmeasurable and elevated PSA). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms.

• Arm I: Patients receive vinorelbine IV over 10 minutes on days 2 and 9 followed by mitoxantrone IV over 10 minutes on day 2 only. Oral estramustine is administered every 12 hours on days 1-5. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity, disease progression, or administration of the maximum cumulative dose of mitoxantrone.
• Arm II: Patients receive oral isotretinoin and interferon alfa subcutaneously on days 1 and 2 and paclitaxel IV over 1 hour on day 2 weekly for 6 weeks. Courses repeat every 8 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression.

Quality of life is assessed at baseline, on day 2 of courses 2, 4, and 6 (arm I), on day 22 of course 1 and day 1 of courses 2 and 3 (arm II), and then at completion of treatment.