Docetaxel is the standard, first-line chemotherapeutic agent for castrate resistant prostate cancer. While it has clinically useful activity, there is a strong need for substantial improvement in its efficacy. Possible ways for improving docetaxel monotherapy would be to combine it with an agent that either minimized toxicity (thus allowing higher doses) or improves efficacy (by targeting synergistic pathways). Lycopene is an attractive agent for combination with docetaxel because of its known accumulation in prostate tissue, its low toxicity, and its ability to inhibit signaling through the IGF-1 axis, and to reduce IL6 levels. Lycopene is highly synergistic with docetaxel at inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer in mice. The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lycopene given in combination with docetaxel. This dose can then be used for subsequent phase II or phase III studies.

New findings from the ECOG E3805 study presented at ASCO 2014, showed that concurrent chemotherapy with first-line ADT for newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer markedly improved overall survival compared with delayed or no chemotherapy. These subjects could also benefit from intervention to increase docetaxel effectiveness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects must have a histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate and 2 increasing pre-study PSA values, the last of which must be ≥1 ng/ml, at least 1 week apart.
• Patients must have current or prior evidence of metastatic prostate cancer. Patients with radiographic evidence of disease progression but without PSA progression may also be eligible.
• Subjects may have received prior chemotherapy except for a combination of docetaxel and lycopene. Prior chemotherapy must have been completed at least 1 year prior to start of treatment under this protocol. Prior biologic therapy, or any investigational drug must have been completed at least 28 days prior to start of therapy, and the patient must have recovered from toxicities of prior therapy to grade 1 or less.
• Patients may or may not be surgically or medically castrated. If surgically or medically castrated, it would be documented by a testosterone level less than 50ng/mL. If the patient is being treated with medical castration, he must be willing to continue this treatment for the duration of the study. ADT should not be initiated, terminated, or dose-adjusted during the study.
• Prior external beam radiation therapy (to less than 30% of the bone marrow only) is allowed. At least 28 days must have elapsed since the completion of radiation therapy and the patient must have recovered from side effects. Prior treatment with samarium-153, radium-223, or strontium-86 is allowed if at least eight weeks have elapsed since dosing, and all toxicities have resolved to grade 1. Soft tissue disease which has been radiated in the prior 2 months is not assessable as measurable disease.
• Patients may have received prior surgery. However, at least 21 days must have elapsed since completion of surgery and the patient must have recovered from all side effects.
• Patient must have adequate hepatic function as defined by 1) a serum bilirubin ≤the institutional upper limit of normal (IULN), and 2) SGOT or SGPT ≤2.5 x the institutional upper limit of normal obtained within 14 days prior to start of therapy. Liver function tests should be evaluated prior to each treatment.
• Patients must have adequate renal function as defined by a serum creatinine ≤1.5 x the institutional upper limit of normal obtained within 14 days prior to start of therapy.
• Men of child bearing potential must be willing to consent to using effective contraception while on treatment and for at least 3 months thereafter.
• Age > 18
• Patient must have an ECOG performance status 0-2.
• Patients must meet the following hematological criteria (minimal values):
• Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mcL
• Hemoglobin of > 8.0gm/dL,
• White blood cell count >2,500/mcL,
• Platelets > 100,000/mcL Patients with lower values may participate if, in the opinion of the investigator, the cytopenias are the result of bone marrow involvement with active prostate cancer.
• Patients must be able to take oral medications.
• All patients must be informed and must sign and give written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines. Patients who are unable to comply with study and/or follow-up procedures are ineligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled brain or spinal cord metastases
• History of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction within the previous six months.
• History of allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the study drugs
• Evidence or history of a bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy, including therapy-induced coagulopathy.
• Presence of chronic diarrhea (> grade 1 by CTC criteria), short bowel syndrome,pancreatic insufficiency, or malabsorption.
• Presence of any severe or uncontrolled concurrent medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would increase the risk of serious toxicity from the study drugs.
• Concurrent use of any vitamin, herb, or mineral supplements containing lycopene for at least 14 days prior to start of therapy
• Evidence of Grade 2 neuropathy at time of screening.