Weekly docetaxel is safe and effective in the treatment of advanced-stage acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi sarcoma

Cancer. 2005 Jan 15;103(2):417-21. doi: 10.1002/cncr.20780.

Abstract

Background: Intravenous paclitaxel, 100 mg/m(2), given over 3 hours every 2 weeks is associated with a response rate of 59% in patients with recurrent or refractory acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS). However, this regimen is associated with significant myelosuppression, and the inconvenience of a 3-hour infusion. Moreover, no effective therapies have been defined for use after treatment failure with this agent. A Phase II trial was conducted with weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced-stage KS to assess safety and antitumor activity.

Methods: Docetaxel was administered at a dose of 25 mg/m(2) intravenously over 15-30 minutes weekly for 8 weeks. Thereafter, if the patient experienced stable disease or better response, treatment doses were given every other week until complete disease remission, disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity occurred.

Results: Twelve patients were accrued-9 had > 25 mucocutaneous lesions, 1 had lymphedema, and 2 had visceral involvement. Ten patients (83%) had previous systemic chemotherapy, including 4 who received previous paclitaxel. Treatment was well tolerated, with no Grade 4 toxicity of any type. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 33% of patients but no patient had neutropenic fever. Five patients (42%) achieved a partial response, including 1 who had previously failed to respond to paclitaxel. The median time to disease progression was 26 months (range, 5-53 months). With a median follow-up period of 45 months, the median survival point had not been reached.

Conclusions: Weekly docetaxel is safe, with reasonable antitumor activity in patients with advanced-stage, recurrent, or refractory AIDS-related KS.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Docetaxel
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / mortality
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage*
  • Taxoids / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel