Weekly Administration of Docetaxel and Paclitaxel in Metastatic or Advanced Breast Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Identify the response rates to weekly paclitaxel and docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer.Name the recommended doses of each taxane when administered weekly.Learn schemas of phase III adjuvant trials incorporating weekly taxanes. Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com The taxanes docetaxel (Taxotere®; Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bridgewater, NJ, http://www.aventispharma-us.com) and paclitaxel (Taxol®; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, http://www.bms.com) have significant clinical activity in metastatic breast cancer. A number of clinical trials have evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of weekly taxane administration to optimize the benefit-to-risk ratio in metastatic breast cancer. Single-agent studies with docetaxel and paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer show clinically significant antitumor activity even in advanced, heavily pretreated, resistant, and/or refractory disease. This activity is also evident with taxane-based combination regimens. Severe hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities are infrequent, with other toxicities noted based on the dose and weekly regimen selected. Weekly docetaxel and paclitaxel regimens represent valuable therapeutic options for women with metastatic breast cancer and have entered evaluation as part of adjuvant therapy for this disease.