Methods and compositions for treating cancer

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating cancer are described herein. More particularly, the methods for treating cancer comprise administering a 17α-hydroxylase/C 17,20 -lyase inhibitor, such as abiraterone acetate (i.e., 3β-acetoxy-17-(3-pyridyl) androsta-5,16-diene), in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid. Furthermore, disclosed are compositions comprising a 17α-hydroxylase/C 17,20 -lyase inhibitor, and at least one additional therapeutic agent, such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method for the treatment of a prostate cancer in a human comprising administering to said human a therapeutically effective amount of at least two anti-cancer agents, wherein the at least two anti-cancer agents are:
 (a) abiraterone acetate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and   (b) dexamethasone.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the abiraterone acetate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is from about 500 mg/day to about 1500 mg/day. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is from about 0.01 mg/day to about 500 mg/day. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is from about 0.5 mg/day to about 25 mg/day. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is about 0.5 mg/day. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the prostate cancer is metastatic prostate cancer. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the amount of the dexamethasone is effective to enhance the response of the prostate cancer to abiraterone acetate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         44 . A method for the treatment of a refractory prostate cancer in a human comprising administering to said human a therapeutically effective amount of at least two anti-cancer agents, wherein the at least two anti-cancer agents are:
 (a) abiraterone acetate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and   (b) dexamethasone.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the abiraterone acetate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is from about 500 mg/day to about 1500 mg/day. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is from about 0.01 mg/day to about 500 mg/day. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is from about 0.5 mg/day to about 25 mg/day. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the dexamethasone is about 0.5 mg/day. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the refractory prostate cancer is metastatic refractory prostate cancer. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the amount of the dexamethasone is effective to enhance the response of the refractory prostate cancer to abiraterone acetate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.