A higher body mass index and fat mass are factors predictive of docetaxel dose intensity

Few data are published on docetaxel toxicity in obese patients.

All obese patients (n=100) treated for early breast cancer during three consecutive years at our Institution, were retrospectively investigated. The same number of non-obese patients was randomly selected and used as controls. We assessed the factors predictive of the relative dose intesity (RDI) reduction, including body composition.

A total of 18% (n=18) of obese patients and 5% (n=5) of non-obese patients required reduction of docetaxel RDI due to toxicity (p=0.008). In a multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI) and age were predictive of a reduction in RDI. Among the 89 patients with a determination of body composition, patients with a higher fat mass more frequently had a reduction in docetaxel RDI (p=0.002). In multivariate analysis, fat mass was the only independent factor predictive of a reduction in docetaxel RDI.

Obese patients treated for early breast cancer more frequently required a reduction in docetaxel RDI. Fat mass seems to be the best factor predictive of a reduction in docetaxel RDI.