Phase II trial of paclitaxel by 3-hour infusion as initial and salvage chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer Journal Article


Authors: Seidman, A. D.; Tiersten, A.; Hudis, C.; Gollub, M.; Barrett, S.; Yao, T. J.; Lepore, J.; Gilewski, T.; Currie, V.; Crown, J.; Hakes, T.; Baselga, J.; Sklarin, N.; Moynihan, M. E.; Tong, W.; Egorin, M.; Kearns, C.; Spriggs, D.; Norton, L.
Article Title: Phase II trial of paclitaxel by 3-hour infusion as initial and salvage chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer
Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel administered by 3-hour infusion as initial and salvage chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Forty-nine patients with metastatic breast cancer received paclitaxel via 3-hour intravenous infusion after standard premeditation. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was not used, and chemotherapy was cycled every 3 weeks. For 25 patients who received paclitaxel as initial therapy (group I), the starting dose was 250 mg/m2. Twenty-four patients who had received two or more prior regimens, including an anthrocycline (group II), started at 175 mg/m2. Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 23 patients in group I. Results: Grade 3 and 4 toxicities included (groups I/II) neutropenia (36%/33%), thrombocytopenia (0%/8%), anemia (0%/13%), neuropathy (8%/0%), arthralgia/myalgia (16%/4%), and mucositis (4%/4%). No significant hypersensitivity-type reactions or cardiac arrhythmias were seen. Six patients who received paclitaxel at ≥ 250 mg/m2 experienced transient photopsia, without apparent chronic neuro-ophthalmologic sequelae. The mean peak plasma paclitaxel concentration was 5.87 μmol/L (range, 1.99 to 7.89) for these patients, and 6.08 μmol/L (range, 0.81 to 13.81) for 17 of 19 patients who did not experience visual symptoms. In 25 assessable patients in group I at a median follow-up time of 12 months, one complete response (CR) and seven partial responses (PRs) have been observed, for a total response rate of 32% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15% to 53%). In group II, five PRs were noted in 24 assessable patients (20.8%; 95% CI, 7% to 42%). Median response durations were 7 months for group I and 4 months for group II. Conclusion: Paclitaxel via 3-hour infusion, without prophylactic G-CSF, is active and safe as initial and subsequent therapy for metastatic breast cancer. The transient visual symptoms noted at higher doses seem unrelated to peak plasma paclitaxel concentration. Further studies that compare 3- and 24- hour (or other) infusion schedules are necessary to determine the optimal administration of paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer.
Keywords: adult; aged; major clinical study; clinical trial; neutropenia; advanced cancer; drug efficacy; drug safety; paclitaxel; phase 2 clinical trial; breast cancer; mucosa inflammation; neuropathy; thrombocytopenia; myalgia; arthralgia; intravenous drug administration; human; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 1995-10-01
Start Page: 2575
End Page: 2581
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jco.1995.13.10.2575
PUBMED: 7595709
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 28 August 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. William Ping-Yiu Tong
    158 Tong
  2. Andrew D Seidman
    312 Seidman
  3. Clifford Hudis
    904 Hudis
  4. Larry Norton
    734 Norton
  5. Nancy T Sklarin
    52 Sklarin
  6. Marc J Gollub
    190 Gollub
  7. Tzy-Jyun Yao
    59 Yao
  8. David R Spriggs
    325 Spriggs
  9. Violante Currie
    51 Currie
  10. Thomas B Hakes
    113 Hakes
  11. Jose T Baselga
    483 Baselga
  12. John Crown
    47 Crown