High Efficacy and Low Toxicity of Weekly Docetaxel Given as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Vol. 68, No. 1, 2005

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Clinical Study

High Efficacy and Low Toxicity of Weekly Docetaxel Given as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer
J. Stemmler^a, W. Mair^c, M. Stauch^d, J. Papke^e, G. Deutsch^f, W. Abenhardt^c, B. Dorn^g, C. Kentenich^b, M. Malekmohammadi^a, C. Jackisch^h, S. Leinungⁱ, O. Brudler^j, U. Vehling-Kaiser^k, J. Stamp^l, V. Heinemann^a

^aMedical Department III and
^bDepartment of Gynecology, University of Munich,
^cOncologic Practice, Munich,
^dOncologic Practice, Kronach,
^eOncologic Practice, Neustadt,
^fDiakonissenkrankenhaus, Karlsruhe,
^gAcademic Teaching Hospital, Aschaffenburg,
^hDepartment of Gynecology, University of Münster, Münster,
ⁱOncologic Practice, Leipzig,
^jOncologic Practice, Augsburg,
^kOncologic Practice, Landshut, and
^lAventis, Bad Soden, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2005;68:71-78 (DOI: 10.1159/000084823)

Key Words

Docetaxel
Breast cancer, metastatic
Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Docetaxel is one of the most effective antitumor agents currently available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This phase II multicenter study prospectively analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel given on a weekly schedule as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Patients and Methods: All patients received docetaxel, 35 mg/m² weekly for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. Subsequent cycles (3 weeks of treatment, 2 weeks of rest) were given until a maximum of 5 cycles or disease progression. Premedication consisted of 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously 30 min prior to the infusion of docetaxel. Results: Fifty-four patients at a median age of 58 years with previously untreated MBC were included in the study. A median of 10 doses (median cumulative dose 339 mg/m²) was administered (range: 2-18). The overall response rate was 48.1% (95% CI: 34-61%, intent-to-treat). Median survival was 15.8 months and median time to progression was 5.9 months (intent-to-treat). Hematological toxicity was mild with absence of neutropenia-related complications. Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 3.7% of patients and grade 3 and 4 anemia was observed in 5.6 and 1.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The weekly administration of docetaxel is highly efficient and safe as first-line treatment for MBC and may serve as an important treatment option specifically in elderly patients and patients with a reduced performance status.

Author Contacts

PD Dr. med. V. Heinemann, University of Munich
Klinikum Grosshadern - Medical Department III (Hematology-Oncology)
Marchioninistrasse 15, DE-81377 Munich (Germany)
Tel. +49 89 7095 2208, Fax +49 89 7095 5256
E-Mail Volker.Heinemann@med.uni-muenchen.de

Article Information

Received: June 3, 2004
Accepted after revision: September 12, 2004
Published online: March 31, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 20

Medline Abstract (ID 15809523)

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