[back]
-
-
Iniguez
C, et al. Reversible peripheral neuropathy induced by a single administration of
high-dose paclitaxel. Neurology. 1998 Sep;51(3):868-70. PMID: 9748043; UI:
98418839. [See
Related Articles]
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the main side effect with cycles of paclitaxel at
standard doses (175 mg/m2 for 21 days). Administration of a single high-dose paclitaxel
(HDP) is a novel approach for the treatment of cancer. We have prospectively measured
neurotoxicity induced by HDP during a phase I trial. Nineteen patients were treated with
escalating doses of paclitaxel by 24-hour infusion. In our study, PN induced by HDP was
moderate, reversible, and not dose limiting. Severe PN was seen in patients who had
received previous neurotoxic chemotherapy, and caution on the administration of HDP in
this setting is warranted.
- Ezcurdia
L, et al. Paclitaxel in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. Argentine
Multicenter Taxol Group. Semin Oncol. 1997 Oct;24(5 Suppl 15):S15-53-S15-56. PMID:
9346223; UI: 98004209. [See
Related Articles]
Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Princeton, NJ) is an
antineoplastic agent that inhibits microtubular function and has shown efficacy in several
solid tumors, mainly ovarian tumors, in which 20% to 40% response rates in previously
treated patients were observed. We conducted a study to assess survival, response rate,
and toxicity associated with paclitaxel treatment in patients with advanced ovarian cancer
resistant to platinum therapy. Between September 1994 and November 1996, 38 patients were
admitted for study and 37 were evaluable. All had disease progression or relapse within 1
year of receiving platinum-containing first-line chemotherapy. Mean age was 59 years
(range, 30 to 75 years), all had bulky disease, and 18 showed increased carbohydrate
antigen-125 at admission. They were treated every 3 weeks with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 as a
3-hour infusion, preceded by standard premedication. Response rate was 51.3%, with a
median response duration of 10.0 months and a median survival rate of 16.8 months. Mild to
moderate hematologic toxicity was observed with only one episode of grade 4 neutropenia,
without fever. Gastrointestinal toxicity was moderate and peripheral neuropathy was mild,
except for two patients who had concomitant pathologies or previous treatment, which might
have caused some neuropathy. We concluded that paclitaxel given as a 3-hour infusion was
easily administered for ambulatory treatment, with mild to moderate toxicity and promising
results based on rate and duration of response as well as survival.