title: Hypersensitivity reactions from taxol.
abstract: Taxol is an antitumor agent in clinical trial that has been shown to have activity against advanced ovarian carcinoma and melanoma. Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) have been one of the toxicities observed with administration of this drug. Of 301 patients treated, 32 patients have had definite (27 patients) or possible (five patients) hypersensitivity reactions to taxol. All but one patient had the reaction from the first or second exposure to this agent. Reactions occurred at a variety of doses and were characterized most frequently by dyspnea, hypotension, bronchospasm, urticaria, and erythematous rashes. Thirteen (41%) patients had received premedication designed to prevent such toxicity; nevertheless, they sustained HSRs. Prolonging the drug infusion appears to have somewhat reduced, but not obviated, the risk of HSRs. The cause (taxol itself or its excipient Cremophor EL; Badische Anilin und Soda-Fabrik AG [BASF], Ludwigshafen, Federal Republic of Germany) and the mechanism of these reactions to taxol are unknown. We provide guidelines to prevent or minimize such toxicity and treat reactions if they still occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Donehower
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wiernik
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohnuma
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gralla
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Trump
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Van Echo
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Von Hoff
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leyland-Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel; D011292:Premedication
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002927:Cimetidine; D017239:Paclitaxel