title: Weekly schedule of docetaxel in breast cancer: evaluation of response and toxicity.
abstract: Several recent studies have investigated the administration of docetaxel on a weekly basis. Here, we review the weekly use of docetaxel in breast cancer. To identify articles published on this topic we performed a computer-assisted MEDLINE search; additional references were found in the bibliographies of these articles. Several phase Tstudies of weekly docetaxel have provided encouraging data indicating that there is generally less myelosuppression than with the three week schedule in patients with a variety of advanced malignancies. Dose-limiting toxicities are reached at 43 to 50 mg/m(2), and the recommended dose ranges from 36 to 42 mg/m(2). Furthermore, five studies of weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer achieved 32 to 41% response rates using 25 to 40 mg/m(2) of docetaxel. Myelosuppression was mild, but fatigue was common and was the most common reason for dose reduction. In general, the planned dose intensity was equivalent to those used in standard three week schedules, and fatigue, asthenia, nail changes, excessive lacrimation (tearing), and fluid retention became more common with prolonged administration of docetaxel. Thus, weekly scheduling of docetaxel maintains efficacy and alters the toxicity profile, and the use of weekly docetaxel will become a promising alternative to three week dosing in the treatment of advanced breast cancer once randomized controlled studies confirm these results. However, there is still much to learn about the role of weekly docetaxel in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Toyosu Hospital Showa University, 4-1-18 Toyosu, Koutou-ku, Tokyo 135-8577, Japan. kurochan@dd.iij4u.or.jp
authors.forename: Katsumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuroi
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bando
authors.forename: Shigehira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saji
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toi
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D043823:Taxoids
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel