The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the chemotherapy drug Taxotere (docetaxel) for men with advanced prostate cancer not responsive to hormone therapy.

Taxotere, previously approved to treat breast cancer and lung cancer, is the first chemotherapy drug shown to improve the survival of men in the advanced stage of prostate cancer.

"Patients need as many effective treatment options as possible and Taxotere, in combination with prednisone, offers hope to certain patients who have not responded to other treatments," acting FDA commissioner Lester M. Crawford said in a statement.

The FDA decision was based on a study of more than 1,000 patients in which the Taxotere-prednisone combination increased survival by more than 2 months compared to standard chemotherapy.

The most common side effects from Taxotere were nausea, hair loss and bone marrow suppression.

Other Sources: FDA