Study highlights new treatment approach

A new study presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2026 congress found that combining three treatments—hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and abiraterone—can increase the median survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. This type of cancer has spread beyond the prostate and is still responding to hormone therapy.

Trial involved 1,172 patients

The PEACE-1 trial, supported by UNICANCER, tracked 1,172 patients with metastatic prostate cancer across seven European countries. The phase III trial included more than eight years of follow-up to assess the long-term effects of the treatment combination.

Combined therapy improves survival

Patients who received the combination of hormone therapy and chemotherapy with abiraterone had a median survival of 6.2 years, compared to 4.4 years for those on the standard treatment. This approach also reduced the risk of death by 25% and the risk of disease progression or death by 50%.

Median survival explained

It is important to understand that median survival refers to the time when half of the patients in the study are still alive. This is a statistical measure and does not predict individual outcomes, as survival times can vary widely among patients.

Expert supports new standard of care

Professor Karim Fizazi, a medical oncologist and director of the Oscar Lambret Center in Lille, said the findings confirm the effectiveness of this treatment strategy. He emphasized that the approach, which increases median survival and reduces the risk of death, should now be considered a strong standard for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.