Docetaxel efficacy

[Catfish21]

Hello,

Now my cancer is hormone resistant and I have many metastases in the bone. My MO prescribed me docetaxel injections. Does this drug is really powerful to reduce metastases and PSA?

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Yes, Docetaxel is an extremely efficient hunter/killer. It will resolve mets and bottom out your PSA. Just make sure it doesn't kill you. Check your insurance to make sure it covers Neulasta®, you will probably need it. Have fun, it's a trip.

[GP24 in reply to Hidden]

"Just make sure it doesn't kill you"🥴😟 There are many survivors in this forum.

[Hidden in reply to GP24]

And a lot of dead men who are incapable of posting.

[Shooter1 in reply to Hidden]

Been wondering how many of our brothers have passed (died). We are shown 15,000 members, but are dead guys dropped from that # or are new people just added...Don't know, but when I went back and tried to find members from a 4 yr old post only, out of 12 only 7 where still around.. Life Is Good and I still have some to go...

[Hidden in reply to Shooter1]

We tend to remember popular members like Great John and many, many others. We don't remember the lurkers who have dropped off the edge. Most everyone who came here in 2016 from the Yahoo group is dead. In 2016 this group was mainly advanced cancer members. These days it's everyone. Death often smiles at me, I smile back.

[Shooter1 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I have seen lots of members come and go (die) since I joined about 5 yrs ago. Never know who will have a treatment work for them and which will not.. I am getting low on options, but still here as are you....

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to Shooter1]

Been here almost 2 years. Joined 1-1/2 years ago. About 6 months ago as I was going about my la la land, happy go lucky life I had a light bulb moment. I realized there was a trend here.

[Shooter1 in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Young guys like you have a long way to go but still use up treatments eventually. At 72 I am nearing my new expiration date, but will try to continue past it without getting to sour.

[Karirudy in reply to Hidden]

Love Great John❤

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Moved here in March 2016 from the old listserver group. DXd in May 2004 with APCa. Remember fondly the good Mathematics PhD from Chicago and his theory before publication on high doses of testosterone and then the sad case of the Brit who was convinced that drinking his own urine was a cure...

Look we all varying degrees of metastatic disease and therefore different outcomes. I wish all the very best in killing the little bastards ; hopefully when your body is strong and the tumor burden minimal.

GD

[DarkEnergy in reply to GP24]

Oh come on GP24, look into Taxane, a natural substance (from a tree) the discovery history is amazing.

And by the way, I did get chemotherapy (Docetaxel) treatment, while hormone sensitive, took my PSA 1000+ to undetectable!

[GP24 in reply to DarkEnergy]

I had cited Nameless999 and wanted to express that it is not that bad as his sentence implies. Yesterday I saw a statistic which said the risk of death from a chemo is 0.7 percent.

[DarkEnergy in reply to GP24]

Ah yes, I'm so poor these days, can't even pay attention...

[Yorkielover2 in reply to DarkEnergy]

How many treatments with Docetaxel did you do?Husband just 5th this is tough stuff.

[Karirudy in reply to Yorkielover2]

My husband did 6 rounds. Last one was Jan 20th. Still recovering. But getting better

[Bspouse in reply to Karirudy]

My husband just had round 4 - seems way more tired and more 'chemo belly' from this one. But I am worried now - His last treatment is April 21, daughters wedding is July 1 (10 weeks). I hope is is feeling OK by then. Does your husband have any energy at this point?

[Karirudy in reply to Bspouse]

He's doing much better. Even working some. I'm sure your husband will do fine. What a blessing that he can walk her down the isle. Wonderful!

[Bspouse in reply to Karirudy]

Yes it has been good to have the wedding as a happy goal to look forward to. Glad your husband did OK with chemo and is recovering well.

[DarkEnergy in reply to Yorkielover2]

Had 6 infusions, the 3rd one is when hair lost and taste buds did not work well.

Did battle of not being a couch potato; kept active because my dog (Aussie) is nuts!

[Yorkielover2 in reply to DarkEnergy]

Thanks my husband has had weakness in legs uses a cane now. he was always a walker took stairs.Chemo has not been kind to him! One more treatment then scans/ct.He did ask Oncologist what time would he have if he stopped treatment? Answer was hard possible one year. Husbands PSA when started chemo after Xofigo 800+ has gone down to 450ish.

[j-o-h-n in reply to DarkEnergy]

I heard that Aussie thinks the feeling is mutual.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 03/14/2022 6:10 PM DST

[Hidden]

Docetaxel was proven to work in men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer back in 2000-2002.

Here's an article about the trial that was used to get Docetaxel approved. It was a trial that compared Docetaxel to another chemotherapy Mitoxantrone. Mitoxantrone was never proven to extend survival, but was used at the time for palliative care.

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/n...

[Schwah in reply to Hidden]

Ouch. Only 2.5 months longer survival.

Schwah

[Shooter1]

Worked for me, but lasting neuropathy after 9 cycles... PSA bottomed out with xtandi after about 2 years. Now fighting BCR which are being irradiated now that I am starting my 5th year in this battle to stay alive and active... Best of luck to you.. Life Is Good and Docetaxel can help you have more of it..

[Karirudy in reply to Shooter1]

My husband has neuropathy also. Will se palliative care doctor tomorrow. We are hoping there is some relief besides pain meds..

[Catfish21]

Thanks a lot guys!

[tango65]

Yes, it works for while.

nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NE...

[dockam]

Hey, go for the chemo and kill off those d@mm PCa terrorist cells.

Had 15 Taxotere sessions in 2015, 6 more last year, and just had 6th Cabazitazel last Friday. Maybe 7 more and even add Carboplatin.

Fasted two days prior to each, check my previous posts for links.

Had scan today to see what's left after those sessions.

Fight On y'all

Randy

[Catfish21 in reply to dockam]

Thank you, Dockam, for your advice.

[Scribb]

Docetaxel works for some and not for others. I am castrate resistant with multiple mets. Had to abandon docetaxel after 7 infusion cycles (last 3 supplemented w carboplatin) becuz scans showed progression and PSA continued to rise. Have just started cabazitaxel and will have to wait a few cycles to see if it slows progression. There is huge variability in response to different chemo treatments. A drug is only “powerful” if it works for you!

[Poowater]

Yes, indeed, it's very good at reducing metastases. I had 4 doses. My psa went to 0.01. Also abiraterone, and Zoladex.

[Fight11]

It didn’t help my husband at all! He then tried Jentava that didn’t work. He is now on Jentava with Carboplatin and that doesn’t seem to be working. The Docetaxel seems to help most! I guess he’s just one of the unfortunate ones!! Praying it works for you!

[Catfish21]

Thanks guys again. I have multiple metastases with PSA=6. After ADT, Zytiga worked only for 1 year. Hope docetaxel will help, but I am not very optimistic.

[konichiwa12]

I have my second of ten Docetaxel cycles on Wednesday and like you I'm hoping to get good results after Zytiga stopped working. Multiple Mets in bones, lymph nodes and prostate again. I feel like its my last chance!

[Hidden]

What does your Medical Oncologist say? Just tossing this out as every one of us are different.. After a double bypass in 2002, my Cardiologist wanted me to have zero pain, zero stress. He prescribed the same dosage of hydrocordone for me three times a day for 90 days. His words, don’t worry about addiction, it’s not enough. Take three times a day even if you have no pain.

So, if I were in your shoes, I would definitely discuss with my Medical Oncologist and Cardiologist. Good luck.

GD

[Kcski]

It worked really well for my dad! He did six rounds and it killed off the cancer for about two years. It is a great drug and made from natural tree bark.

[JJFR60]

Worked for me , started it together with Firmagon (Degarelix) in 2015 . Psa went down from 3000+ to 1.6 after 6 sessions. Amount of Bone metastasis went down as well. I don’t know if your hospital has a so called cold cap to wear during the chemo sessions. Mine had and it worked great for me , almost no hair loss on my head. Other side effects for me were mild . And of course the whole treatment is covered by the insurance in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 .

[billd50]

I had 6 infusions of Docetaxel. I had it early in the treatment cycleas my Gleason scores were 9 and 10. That was 6 years ago. Seems

to have worked for me. I also had radiation and ADT for 2 years.

Docetaxel does have some serious side effects that you should talk

with your doc about.

Someone mentioned getting Neulasta shots. These

shots keep your immune system going. I didn't get it on my first

round of chemo and ended up in the emergency room. My immune

system was shot. Talk to your doc about this.

Neuropathy is another potential side effect. You need to watch this

and they may have to cut back on the dosage or cycles. You may

investigate "cooling" your extremities such as fingers and toes during

the transfusion. They have special cooling mits and socks that help.

Ask the people in the transfusion ward. And investigate all the side

effects, your onc doc should help you here.

[Catfish21]

Guys, I very appreciate your advice and willing to help. Thank you again.

[Max135]

Docetaxel does have its time and place for treating this disease. Not everyone can handle multiple rounds - fingers crossed your one of the guys that can.

Six years ago SOC was six rounds three weeks apart. Many guys stress out about the first round and end up with a case of the shingles. I should say some guys! If your super worried pay close attention.

At time of infusion ask questions on what you are getting (drug/does) keep records. It should be a nausea med, 10 to 12 mg of dexamethasone plus Docetaxel which is weight specific. Dex will keep hold off the chemo crash for a day plus a little then plan some down time. After 4 days you will start to feel normal once again. Newlasta is a great drug delivered 24 hrs after the chemo infusion with a patch attached to the back side of your arm. Insurance can be touch with this drug so check in advance on the cost.

The one thing I can say is keep active. Go for a hike/walk after the infusion. Do not sit and wait for the crash. It will come but again keep moving. It will help with the fatigue greatly.

After six rounds 5 plus years ago I start another set of maintenance rounds. Recently finished my 27th round and have found ways to make the stuff manageable. Live strong but be informed!

Max

[Catfish21 in reply to Max135]

Thanks a lot, Max, for really invaluable education! I try to follow your way.

[P419597s]

Hello my friend. May I suggest a couple of avenues that to look into before doing Chemo? 1.)Johns Hopkins has done recent studies on Bipolar ADT where they use a high dose of Testosterone to kill the cancer that becomes hormone resistant. My understanding is that hormone resistant cancer cells adapt to the low testosterone environment by creating extreme androgen receptor capabilities, and the high testosterone dose floods and kills them. They are suggesting the possibility that doing so can even reset the the ability to use hormone therapy again. Google “Rapid testosterone cycling reverses castration resistance” in nature.com If your oncologist doesn’t know or want to know about it, find one who does. 2.) Vancouver Prostate Centre in British Columbia did a very recent scientific study that indicated that Ivermectin can not only diminish prostate cancer, but has the ability to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy as well as reset the ability to use Hormone Therapy again. states that “In Nappi’s experiment, it was found that Ivermectin could enhance the drug activity of the anti-androgen drug enzalutamide.. and reverse the resistance of the prostate cancer cell line to docetaxel.” Google “Ivermectin, a potential anti cancer drug derived from a anti parasitic drug” 3.) please consider fasting as a tool in your arsenal. Not only does a 2-3 day fast put cancer on its heals by denying it the sugar that it needs, but fasting before chemo will protect your normal cells in a dramatic way from the effects of the chemo and allow your immune system to respond quicker. Research has shown that cyclical fasting can result in up to 60% increase in cancer survival. Google “ Fasting: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications” I have prostate cancer. I’m not where you are yet, but I’m planning on using these things in my arsenal. If my oncologist won’t help me, I’ll find a MD. who will. When you’re down to yourlast weapons, how could it hurt? Praying for you brother.

[dmt1121]

Having gone through this treatment with Lupron given concurrently, I believe the Doxetaxel was virtually useless and the Lupron did all the work. When I stopped the Doxetacel and Lupron temporarily for a, my PSA rose quickly. once back on Lupron, my PSA went back down. The side effects of neuropathy and other normal cell damage should not be overlooked. I don't think I would go through that again.

[Catfish21 in reply to dmt1121]

I have no choice. My PC is androgen resistant. Lupron and Zytiga does not work now.

[dmt1121 in reply to Catfish21]

I am not a doctor. I can only relay my experience. There are others much more knowledgeable than myself on this site. I would suggest contacting Tall Allen and sending him a message to see what other options are out there. I think there may be others.

Good luck.

[Catfish21]

Thank you, Abhishek_Roy, for your response. Bob.