Weekly 1-h paclitaxel infusion in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer.


METHODS
Nine patients with recurrent endometrial cancer who had previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy participated in the study, between May 1999 and August 2001. Paclitaxel was given at a dose of 70 mg/m(2) as a 1-h infusion every week for at least 20 consecutive weeks unless lesions became progressive. Intravenous dexamethasone and cimetidine and oral diphenhydramine were administered 30 min before paclitaxel infusion.


RESULTS
The nine patients received a total of 149 cycles of therapy. No hypersensitivity reactions were elicited. Grade 3 leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia occurred in 22%, 33%, and 33% of the patients, respectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was required for two patients and no patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Neurotoxicity was commonly observed. Grade 1 peripheral neuropathy and myalgias were observed in 78% and 11% of the patients, respectively. No grade 3 or higher nonhematological toxicities were observed. Partial responses were seen in six of the nine patients (67%). The median progression-free interval was 8 months (range, 0-12 months) and the median overall survival was 10 months (range, 4-24 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly 1-h paclitaxel administration is considered safe and effective as a salvage therapy for recurrent endometrial cancer, with this schedule and delivery making its use more convenient and easier in the outpatient setting. The current results support further evaluation.
Nishio
Shin
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. nishio_shin@hotmail.com
Ota
Shunichiro
S
Sugiyama
Toru
T
Matsuo
Go
G
Kawagoe
Hidehiro
H
Kumagai
Seisuke
S
Ushijima
Kimio
K
Nishida
Takashi
T
Kamura
Toshiharu
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011000:Pleurodynia, Epidemic / Q000139:chemically induced; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel