Use of Taxol (paclitaxel) in breast cancer.
Taxol (paclitaxel) has demonstrated good antitumor activity against metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in phase II trials. The drug is usually well tolerated. However, severe myelosuppression, including rapidly reversible neutropenia, may necessitate dose reductions and may ultimately limit its use as a long-term treatment. Sequential or simultaneous administration of Taxol and doxorubicin may enhance response rates. There appears to be no complete cross-resistance between the two drugs. Current trials are exploring the best way to deliver this combination while keeping dose-limiting toxicity to a minimum. Additionally, single-agent trials are evaluating Taxol in extensively pretreated MBC. The results of these trials are awaited with interest.
Department of Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
G N
GN
Hortobagyi
F A
FA
Holmes
R L
RL
Theriault
A U
AU
Buzdar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D004317:Doxorubicin; D017239:Paclitaxel