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Published on: February 20, 2017
Efficacy of weekly paclitaxel in patients with docetaxel-resistant metastatic breast cancer
Kan Yonemori1, Noriyuki Katsumata, Hajime Uno
1Breast and Medical Oncology Division, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Background:
Partial cross-resistance to paclitaxel and docetaxel has been demonstrated in pre-clinical studies.
Patients And Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) in 82 patients with docetaxel-resisitant metastatic breast cancer. Docetaxel resistance was classified into primary resistance, defined as progressive disease while receiving docetaxel, and secondary resistance, defined as progression after achievement of a documented clinical response to docetaxel. Secondary resistance was subclassified according to the interval between the final infusion of docetaxel and the start of weekly paclitaxel into: (1) short interval, < or =120 days, and (2) long interval, >120 days.
Results:
The response rate of the 82 patients was 19.5% (95% confidence interval, 10.8-27.9%). The response rate according to the docetaxel resistance category was: primary resistance (n = 24), 8.3%; secondary resistance (n = 58), 24.1% (short interval [n = 39], 17.9%, and long interval, [n = 19], 36.8%). The differences in response rates among the three categories were statistically significant (p = 0.0247, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test). The interval between from the final docetaxel infusion and disease progression were predictors for response of weekly paclitaxel.
Conclusion:
Weekly paclitaxel is modestly effective and safe in docetaxel-resistant metastatic breast cancer patients. However, weekly paclitaxel should not be recommended for primary resistance patients with docetaxel.
