Current chemotherapeutic approaches for androgen-independent prostate cancer.

This review describes the current state of chemotherapy for androgen-independent prostate cancer. Landmark clinical trials, including TAX 327, a randomized trial comparing docetaxel and prednisone with mitoxantrone and prednisone, and SWOG 9916, a randomized clinical trial comparing docetaxel and estramustine with mitoxantrone and prednisone, are reviewed. Novel combination therapies, involving taxane administered with compounds such as calcitrol and thalidomide, newer cytotoxic agents, vaccine therapies, and targeted modalities are also detailed. This review mainly focuses on agents with activity in phase II/III clinical trials.