title: Docetaxel: a review of its use in metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: Docetaxel (Taxotere), a cytotoxic taxane, is an antimicrotubule agent effective in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. The clinical profile of docetaxel as an effective cytotoxic agent in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer is well established. As yet, no single standard regimen has been identified as optimal for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of docetaxel monotherapy administered every 3 weeks as a 1-hour infusion is similar to or better than that of doxorubicin, paclitaxel and fluorouracil plus vinorelbine, and better than that of methotrexate plus fluorouracil or mitomycin plus vinblastine. Although docetaxel is associated with neutropenia and other adverse events, its overall tolerability profile is generally acceptable in the majority of patients. Docetaxel, therefore, is an effective option in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lyseng-Williamson
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fenton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel