title: Therapeutic drug monitoring of paclitaxel (Zisu) in cancer patients.
abstract: We monitored the therapeutic drug paclitaxel (Zisu) and studied its anticancer activity and side effects in 11 cancer patients. After intravenous infusion of 135 to 185 mg/m2 of paclitaxel, Cmax ranged from 2.17 to 9.17 mg/L and AUC ranged from 4.37 to 16.01 mg/h/L. A significant individual difference in pharmacokinetic parameters was found. Among the 11 patients, 6 achieved a partial remission and one patient had a mild response. The Cmax of the patients who achieved PR and MR was higher in comparison to the patients with no response. In 4 of the 6 PR patients, Cmax was above 4.38 mg/L. In four of the NR patients, Cmax was equal to or below 4.04 mg/L. These results suggested a relationship between Cmax and the cancer response rate. No significant relationship could be found between Cmax and the nadir of the white blood cells and platelets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Affiliated Hospital, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel