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Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Oh, WK; George, DJ; Hackmann, K; Manola, J; Kantoff, PW
Published in: Urology
January 2001

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the response to treatment with PC-SPES, an herbal supplement, because patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer have limited treatment options. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with prostate cancer progression despite androgen ablation therapy who were treated with PC-SPES (3 capsules twice daily). We explored potential predictors of response. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer were treated. The median age was 70 years. Eighteen patients had received prior secondary hormonal treatment and 10 prior chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 8 months, 20 (87%; 95% confidence interval 66% to 97%) of 23 patients experienced a post-therapy decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The median decline in PSA among these patients was 40% (range 1% to 88%). Of 23 patients, 12 (52%; 95% confidence interval 31% to 73%) had a greater than 50% decline in PSA. The median duration of the PSA response was 2.5 months (range 1 to 9+); the median time from the start of therapy to PSA progression was 6 months (range 2 to 12). Seven patients died of progressive prostate cancer. Toxicity was mild and included nipple tenderness, nausea, and diarrhea. One patient with a known history of coronary artery disease developed angina. In univariate analyses, older patients and those with a longer duration of initial androgen ablation therapy were more likely to respond to PC-SPES. CONCLUSIONS: PC-SPES is a well-tolerated and active treatment for androgen-independent prostate cancer. Additional testing is necessary to identify the active components of PC-SPES and its role in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Urology

DOI

EISSN

1527-9995

Publication Date

January 2001

Volume

57

Issue

1

Start / End Page

122 / 126

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Plant Extracts
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Disease Progression
 

Citation

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Oh, W. K., George, D. J., Hackmann, K., Manola, J., & Kantoff, P. W. (2001). Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. Urology, 57(1), 122–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0090-4295(00)00986-9
Oh, W. K., D. J. George, K. Hackmann, J. Manola, and P. W. Kantoff. “Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.Urology 57, no. 1 (January 2001): 122–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0090-4295(00)00986-9.
Oh WK, George DJ, Hackmann K, Manola J, Kantoff PW. Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. Urology. 2001 Jan;57(1):122–6.
Oh, W. K., et al. “Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.Urology, vol. 57, no. 1, Jan. 2001, pp. 122–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0090-4295(00)00986-9.
Oh WK, George DJ, Hackmann K, Manola J, Kantoff PW. Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. Urology. 2001 Jan;57(1):122–126.
Journal cover image

Published In

Urology

DOI

EISSN

1527-9995

Publication Date

January 2001

Volume

57

Issue

1

Start / End Page

122 / 126

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Plant Extracts
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Disease Progression