Docetaxel administered on a weekly basis for metastatic breast cancer

J Clin Oncol. 2000 Mar;18(6):1212-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2000.18.6.1212.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly docetaxel in women with metastatic breast cancer.

Patients and methods: Twenty-nine women were enrolled onto a study of weekly docetaxel given at 40 mg/m(2)/wk. Each cycle consisted of 6 weeks of therapy followed by a 2-week treatment break, repeated until disease progression or removal from study for toxicity or patient preference. Fifty-two percent of patients had been previously treated with adjuvant chemotherapy; 21% had received prior chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, and 31% had previously received anthracyclines. All patients were assessable for toxicity; two patients were not assessable for response but are included in an intent-to-treat analysis.

Results: Patients received a median of 18 infusions, with a median cumulative docetaxel dose of 720 mg/m(2). There were no complete responses. Twelve patients had partial responses (overall response rate, 41%; 95% confidence interval, 24% to 61%), all occurring within the first two cycles. Similar response rates were observed among subgroups of patients previously treated either with any prior chemotherapy or with anthracyclines. An additional 17% of patients had stable disease for at least 6 months. The regimen was generally well tolerated. There was no grade 4 toxicity. Only 28% of patients had any grade 3 toxicity, most commonly neutropenia and fatigue. Acute toxicity, including myelosuppression, was mild. Fatigue, fluid retention, and eye tearing/conjunctivitis became more common with repetitive dosing, although these side effects rarely exceeded grade 2. Dose reductions were made for eight of 29 patients, most often because of fatigue (n = 5).

Conclusion: Weekly docetaxel is active in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer, with a side effect profile that differs from every-3-weeks therapy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / adverse effects
  • Paclitaxel / analogs & derivatives*
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Survival Analysis
  • Taxoids*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Paclitaxel