I know of a few things that are relatively new and appear to be
promising.

1. Docetaxel.

This has been used for some years now with useful but limited
success.  However there are a number of trials underway using it
earlier, before the cancer has gone too far.  Gourd Dancer had it
that way and has had good results.

2. Revlimid.

This is a compound related to thalidomide.  I think it might be
an anti-angiogenic agent, which means it would retard the
formation of new blood vessels, something that growing tumors
need.  It is approved for patients with some other cancers and is
in clinical trials for PCa.  Some patients have apparently
experienced excellent results.

3. Radioisotopes delivered directly to bones.

This works by binding a radioactive isotope to a molecule that is
taken up by bones.  I don't know exactly how it works, but I
think you get an infusion of the stuff which then circulates
through your body, collecting in bone cells - where the radiation
is slowly released.  It provides a whole body attack on bone
metastases and so would appear to be very useful for advanced
cases where the cancer has spread to many bones.  It's most
intended for pain relief, but some are reporting some life
extension as well.

4. Vaccine therapies.

The purpose of vaccine therapy is to sensitize the patient's
cancer cells to attacks from his own immune system.

There was something of a setback in this field when the FDA
required the makers of Provenge to go back to clinical trials for
another couple of years, but at least some patients have had good
results.

5. Pomegranate?  Capsaicin?

Some supplements are getting good reports.  Someone posted a
message here recently citing a study of capsaicin (the hot part
of jalapeno peppers) reducing tumors by 80%.

6. Others?

There are a lot of clinical trials underway.  Go to:

http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=4280451

to see a list of 334 current trials.  Only some of these are for
new treatments.  Some are diagnostic or screening trials, or
other things, and many are minor refinements of existing
treatments.  But it's apparent that there is a fair amount of
research activity.

Of course I'm not a doctor and not qualified to advise people,
but my personal opinion is that different patients will be
sensitive to different treatments.  I suspect that a patient will
have the best chance of extending his life if he has a medical
oncologist who is willing to really work with him - try different
treatments and watch closely to see how they work.  If they're
not working, try something else.

The older we get, the less chance we have for life extension.
After all, something will get us.  But for younger patients
especially, I think that at least some of the ones who battle
their disease, and have a doctor who will help them do it, may
get some extra years.

In the long term, I think that the scientists are going to beat
this completely.  But I don't think we're there yet.  When the
old director of the NCI (Dr. von Eschenbach) said we would have
cancer under control by 2015, I think he was grossly
exaggerating.  But maybe our sons, and very likely our grandsons,
will have much better treatments than we do.

  Alan

Find a good Medical Oncologist who specializes in PCa and fight like hell
with a Phase II clinical trial. There are promising trials taking place
everywhere. I suggest that you look toward research facilities first. In
other words, non-FDA approved drugs rather than standard fare.

Good luck,

Gourd Dancer