title: Prospective evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile of docetaxel in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively study the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile of docetaxel in elderly patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Docetaxel was administered at a dose 75 mg/m(2) once every 3 weeks to 25 elderly cancer patients aged >/= 65 years and 26 cancer patients aged younger than 65 years. Pharmacokinetic studies and toxicity assessments were performed during the first cycle of therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 51 patients treated, 20 aged >/= 65 years (median, 71 years; range, 65 to 80 years) and 20 aged younger than 65 years (median, 53 years; range, 26 to 64 years) were assessable for pharmacokinetic studies, and 39 were assessable for toxicity. Patient characteristics were similar (P >/= .15) between the two cohorts. Mean docetaxel clearance was not altered in the elderly versus younger patients: 30.1 L/h (standard deviation [SD] 18.3 L/h) v 30.0 L/h (SD, 14.8 L/h; P = .98). The percentage of patients with grade 4 and febrile neutropenia was higher in the elderly (63% and 16%, respectively) versus younger (30% and 0%, respectively) cohort, although this observation did not reach a level of statistical significance (P = .056). From logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for a patient aged 65 years was 1.98 for developing grade 4 neutropenia compared with a patient aged 50 years (P = .091).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Docetaxel plasma pharmacokinetics are unaltered in elderly patients. Patients aged >/= 65 years appear to be more sensitive to docetaxel-induced neutropenia.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albert J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: ten Tije
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carducci
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Graveland
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pronk
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Verbruggen
authors.forename: Fitzroy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dawkins
authors.forename: Sharyn D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel