E-1899: An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study Comparing Ketoconazole Plus Hydrocortisone with Docetaxel Plus Estramustine for Asymptomatic, Androgen-Independent, Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer Patients with Rising PSA Levels.

Many prostate cancer patients with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels following radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy receive "early" hormonal therapy, despite its uncertain benefit. When these patients ultimately progress to androgen independence, their management remains controversial, with many receiving second-line hormonal therapy. Chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer has a defined palliative benefit; studies to establish its potential impact on survival are ongoing. E-1899 is an intergroup phase III trial comparing second-line hormonal therapy with ketoconazole plus hydrocortisone with docetaxel plus estramustine in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer with rising PSA levels who have no evidence of metastases.