BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of paclitaxel administered as a biweekly 1-h infusion (120 mg/m2). METHODS: Twenty patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Paclitaxel was administered at a dose of 120 mg/m2 by an intravenous 1-h infusion every 2 weeks. The primary objectives of the study were the response rate and toxicity. Pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted in 7 of the 20 patients treated with paclitaxel. RESULTS: Four of the 20 patients had grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Arthralgia or myalgia was observed in 8 of the 20 patients. Grade 2 or 3 neurotoxicity was observed in 6 of the 20 patients. In the 20 assessable patients, there was one complete response and eight partial responses. The overall response rate was 45%. The mean time to progression was 5.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Biweekly paclitaxel may be suitable for patients receiving paclitaxel for palliative therapy, as tolerance was similar to that with the weekly schedule, but with the advantage of increased convenience.
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of paclitaxel administered as a biweekly 1-h infusion (120 mg/m2). METHODS: Twenty patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Paclitaxel was administered at a dose of 120 mg/m2 by an intravenous 1-h infusion every 2 weeks. The primary objectives of the study were the response rate and toxicity. Pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted in 7 of the 20 patients treated with paclitaxel. RESULTS: Four of the 20 patients had grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Arthralgia or myalgia was observed in 8 of the 20 patients. Grade 2 or 3 neurotoxicity was observed in 6 of the 20 patients. In the 20 assessable patients, there was one complete response and eight partial responses. The overall response rate was 45%. The mean time to progression was 5.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Biweekly paclitaxel may be suitable for patients receiving paclitaxel for palliative therapy, as tolerance was similar to that with the weekly schedule, but with the advantage of increased convenience.
Authors: H H Helgason; C M F Kruijtzer; A D R Huitema; S G Marcus; W W ten Bokkel Huinink; M E Schot; J H Schornagel; J H Beijnen; J H M Schellens Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2006-09-12 Impact factor: 7.640