The American Society of Clinical Oncology has released a Clinical Practice Guideline for the initial hormonal management of androgen-sensitive, metastatic, recurrent or progressive prostate cancer. The guideline seeks to address the question, "When should hormone therapy be started?" Because the use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists have several negative side effects, the article suggests that a doctor may be doing a disservice to the patient by starting hormonal therapy too early in the disease cycle. Details on the discussion can be seen at: http://www.jco.org/cgi/content/full/22/14/2927

People Living With Cancer, the ASCO patient education site, talks about "Creative Ways to Promote Cancer Screening" - examples of community outreach to aid in disease intervention through screening.

The FDA has approved Taxotere in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Details can be seen at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01068.html

Dr. Daniel Petrylak from New York Presbyterian has reported results of his studies, in the New England Journal of Medicine, that showed a significant survival advantage for Taxotere (docetaxel) over traditional chemotherapy protocols. An abstract from the article can be viewed here

Xinlay (Atrasentan) -- Limited Availability for Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer - Although the new drug application, to use Xinlay for men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, was not approved by the FDA, Abbott Labs is still studying its efficacy in an on-going Phase III study with a group of hormone-refractory men without metastases. This study should be completed in 2006.

For now, it is only possible to obtain Xinlay through the Single Patient Investigational Drug (sIND) program. Individual patients need to consult with their physician who can get information on this process from the FDA website or by contacting Abbott at 1-866-4ABTONC (866-422-8662). Both FDA and Abbott approval will be required for all sIND applications.

Dr. Thomas Stamey from Stanford University has released results of a study suggesting that the PSA test, used as a screening tool for prostate cancer, may be all but useless. This is the latest in an on-going controversy regarding the test's use and its ability to be effective in controlling the mortality from the disease. The article can be read at: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=4696

A recent Brown University study showed that over 40% of chronic cancer patients still live in pain that could otherwise be diminished through appropriate pain management. Previous studies have shown that only 7% of American Medical schools teach pain management therapy protocols.

Cell Genesys announced the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial of GVAX® prostate cancer vaccine in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

News Organizations

News - Medical Net - a source for daily news releases of information important to patients and professionals.

Medscape - an on-line resource for patients and professionals; for a specific recap of major clinical literature check this link.

MedLine Plus - searchable database of the most important consumer and professional publications on the disease provided by the National Institutes of Health.

Johns Hopkins Prostate Bulletin - quarterly consumer publication providing education on the latest and most credible treatments for prostate disease.

WebMD- comprehensive site offering news, search engines, chat sessions databases of health-related topics and an "Ask the Experts" section

Prostatitis Home Page - source of information on a full range of urinary tract diseases which may or not relate to prostate cancer.

Doctors Guide to the Internet - latest news and information on BPH and other prostate-related disease designed for the newly diagnosed patient.

CURE - magazine and site geared to provide the latest developments in cancer research.

Cancer News on the Net - an Internet publication written for all cancer patients and their families.

CancerSource - general cancer interest site providing details of importance to the patient and family.