The findings of a randomized phase III trial reveal similar levels of efficacy of 20 mg/m2 or 25 mg/m2 cabazitaxel, or 75 mg/m2 docetaxel (all regimens included prednisone) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Patients in each group had median overall survival durations of 24.5, 25.2, and 24.3 months, respectively. Patients receiving 25 mg/m2 cabazitaxel had the highest radiographic tumour response rate, but also the greatest incidence of grade 3–4 adverse events, including febrile neutropenia, diarrhoea and haematuria. These findings reveal similar efficacy of either approach, albeit with differing risks of adverse events.