Role of weekly paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract

Dose-dense weekly administration of paclitaxel has the potential advantage of allowing a larger percentage of cancer cells to enter the vulnerable phase of their cell cycle when cytotoxic paclitaxel concentrations are present. The lower doses and shorter infusion times used with weekly dosing should also minimize bone marrow suppression and other toxicities associated with standard paclitaxel 3-weekly administration. Clinical studies have confirmed that paclitaxel can be safely delivered on a weekly schedule as a 1-h infusion to patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Weekly administration of paclitaxel also appears to be better tolerated than 3-weekly administration. Single-agent weekly paclitaxel is associated with response rates of 20-65%. Combination therapy with weekly paclitaxel has mainly involved carboplatin and response rates with such regimens range from 60-88%. Triple-drug combination therapy has produced response rates of 42-67.5%. Such therapy has included weekly paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin/cisplatin plus topotecan, and carboplatin plus doxorubicin. In an attempt to avoid problems with high corticosteroid doses, dexamethasone doses of 10 and 8 mg have been used successfully in premedication regimens for weekly paclitaxel in ovarian cancer.

• Authors: Hilary Thomas, Per Rosenberg
• Journal: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (Crit Rev Oncol Hematol) Vol. 44 Suppl Pg. S43-51 (Dec 27 2002) ISSN: 1040-8428 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 12505598 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Paclitaxel

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy)
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Ovarian Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Paclitaxel (administration & dosage)