Safety and pharmacokinetic trial of docetaxel plus an Astragalus-based herbal formula for non-small cell lung cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study a commonly used Astragalus-based herbal formula previously found effective in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in patients with NSCLC.


METHODS
Patients with advanced NSCLC who progressed after prior platinum-containing chemotherapy were accrued and received docetaxel at 35 mg/m(2) for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. At 4 days prior to the second dosing, Jinfukang was given orally. Pharmacokinetic studies of initial-dose docetaxel (in the absence of Jinfukang) and the third dose (in the presence of Jinfukang) were compared.


RESULTS
Of the 24 patients enrolled, 21 started Jinfukang and docetaxel. Jinfukang had no significant impact on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel. Median time to progression or withdrawal from treatment was 7 weeks. Twelve patients were removed from study for progression of disease; nine patients withdrew.


CONCLUSIONS
Jinfukang did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel nor appear to affect survival in this study.
Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1429 First Avenue at 74th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. cassileth@mskcc.org
Barrie R
BR
Cassileth
Naiyer
N
Rizvi
Gary
G
Deng
K Simon
KS
Yeung
Andrew
A
Vickers
Stacey
S
Guillen
Derek
D
Woo
Marci
M
Coleton
Mark G
MG
Kris
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000737:chemistry; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D018450:Disease Progression; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D043823:Taxoids; C544151:jinfukang; D000077143:Docetaxel