Pulmonary toxicity during prostate cancer treatment with docetaxel and thalidomide.
The standard therapies of surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal manipulations often fail to control metastatic prostate cancer (PC). Docetaxel and thalidomide may have activity in refractory PC. We highlight the potential pulmonary toxicity when docetaxel is combined with thalidomide. We reviewed three examples of docetaxel and thalidomide pulmonary toxicity at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and summarized the published literature regarding docetaxel and thalidomide pulmonary toxicity. Docetaxel and thalidomide pulmonary toxicity has the following four main presentations: (1). symptomatic effusions; (2). dyspnea on exertion without any objective pathologic evidence; (3). interstitial lung disease; and (4). pulmonary embolus. As chemotherapy becomes more common in the treatment of PC, clinicians must consider possible pulmonary toxicities. If pulmonary symptoms or signs develop, clinicians should consider holding chemotherapy pending a complete evaluation.
Behrens
Robert J
RJ
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA. behrensr@mail.nih.gov
Gulley
James L
JL
Dahut
William L
WL
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D043823:Taxoids; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D013792:Thalidomide; D017239:Paclitaxel