Successful re-treatment with taxol after major hypersensitivity reactions.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the successful re-treatment of eight patients who had major hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to taxol and to suggest a regimen for re-treating patients who develop major HSRs.


METHODS
The treatment courses of eight patients who developed major HSRs and were rechallenged with taxol were reviewed. Patients in this report represent all patients who are known to have been rechallenged with taxol after major HSRs.


RESULTS
The most common approach used to rechallenge patients consisted of premedication with multiple high doses of corticosteroids and H1- and H2-histamine antagonists followed by the initiation of the taxol infusion at a reduced rate. All patients who experienced major HSRs were rechallenged successfully. After the rechallenge, these patients received 32 additional courses of taxol without HSRs.


CONCLUSIONS
Re-treatment with taxol after major HSRs is feasible using multiple high doses of corticosteroids and antihistamine premedications and a reduced taxol infusion rate under close supervision. This approach may represent a valid alternative to the termination of taxol; however, a prospective evaluation is required to determine the true efficacy of this approach.
Peereboom
D M
DM
Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, MD 21287-8934.
Donehower
R C
RC
Eisenhauer
E A
EA
McGuire
W P
WP
Onetto
N
N
Hubbard
J L
JL
Piccart
M
M
Gianni
L
L
Rowinsky
E K
EK
D000368:Aged; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011292:Premedication
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D017239:Paclitaxel