Biweekly paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of paclitaxel administered as a biweekly 1-h infusion (120 mg/m2).


METHODS
Twenty patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Paclitaxel was administered at a dose of 120 mg/m2 by an intravenous 1-h infusion every 2 weeks. The primary objectives of the study were the response rate and toxicity. Pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted in 7 of the 20 patients treated with paclitaxel.


RESULTS
Four of the 20 patients had grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Arthralgia or myalgia was observed in 8 of the 20 patients. Grade 2 or 3 neurotoxicity was observed in 6 of the 20 patients. In the 20 assessable patients, there was one complete response and eight partial responses. The overall response rate was 45%. The mean time to progression was 5.4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Biweekly paclitaxel may be suitable for patients receiving paclitaxel for palliative therapy, as tolerance was similar to that with the weekly schedule, but with the advantage of increased convenience.
Toyama
Tatsuya
T
Department of Surgery II, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan. toyamat-ncu@umin.ac.jp
Yamashita
Hiroko
H
Hara
Yasuo
Y
Sugiura
Hiroshi
H
Fujii
Yoshitaka
Y
Iwase
Hirotaka
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017239:Paclitaxel