Donna:
First, I assume you are in the US. Abiraterone Acetate (AA) is a treatment that has been followed closely by many of us in the cancer community. It is a "super" anti androgen. This means that it restricts the access of androgens (male hormones) to cells and thus slows the growth of prostate cancer which is driven by the hormone access. It has recently been noticed that even under complete hormone blockade that testosterone and other androgens can be produced by the cancer cells themselves, bypassing the blocking mechanism of LHRH drugs, DES, Casodex and other anti androgens. AA has the ability to prevent even some of this intra-cellular androgen pathway. It is currently in a phase III trial for men who have failed chemo (taxotere) therapy, as has your father. This is, in my opinion, the very best trial available for men such as your father. It will likely fill quickly so if he is eligible he should respond promptly. The side effects from the earlier trials were mild, and compared to taxotere, practically non existent. If I were in his position and wanted the best opportunity to extend survival with limited side effects, I would be delighted to enroll. NOTE: He is not guaranteed to receive the drug. It is a 2:1 AA to placebo trial.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00638690?term=abirater
Congratulations to his doctor for recognizing and recommending this opportunity.