No effective therapy has been demonstrated for hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Pyrazine diazohydroxide (PZDH) is a novel antineoplastic agent with a broad range of activity in preclinical studies and a moderate toxicity profile in Phase I trials. We undertook a Phase II study of PZDH in HRPC utilizing decline in PSA as the primary end point. Fifteen patients were enrolled, median age of 70 (55-86), median pretherapy PSA 206 ng/ml (range 42-10,000). Four patients were African American. Sites of disease: bone only 7, soft tissue only 2, both 6. All were evaluable for toxicity and response. PZDH was administered at 250 mg/m2 i.v. every three weeks. The median number of cycles administered was two (range 1-6). Toxicity was mild, with only one patient manifesting serious (grade 3-4) toxicity. Unfortunately, activity was minimal with only a single patient demonstrating a >75% decline in PSA. As this patient's PSA began to rise almost immediately the response was considered transient and not felt to justify pursuing a second stage of the trial. Supporting this conclusion was the disappointing median survival of 220 days. In summary, we conclude that PZDH, while well tolerated at this dose and schedule has only minimal activity in HRPC.