Awareness of the adverse effects associated with prophylactic corticosteroid use during docetaxel therapy

Weekly or tri-weekly docetaxel treatment mandates the use of dexamethasone to prevent toxicity. However, the adverse effects of prophylactic steroid use are often overlooked. We investigated the incidence of corticosteroid-associated adverse effects during docetaxel therapy, focusing on hyperglycemia and infection as well as the identification of possible risk factors.

This study was conducted through retrospective chart review of 632 patients who started docetaxel-based chemotherapy between July 2011 and June 2012 at Seoul National University Hospital. Hyperglycemia was defined as more than two random glucose levels >200 mg/dL. All documented episodes of infection that required treatment with antibiotics were regarded as infectious episodes.

The incidences of hyperglycemia in overall patients and in patients without previous diabetes mellitus were 13.7 and 10.9%, respectively. Infectious episodes greater than grade 2 and grade 3 developed in 29.6 and 19.9% of patients, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index and previous diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for hyperglycemia, whereas corticosteroid dose was not. Treatment duration and frequency of high blood glucose levels over 200 mg/dL were independent risk factors for infection.

Due to the significant difference in patient and treatment characteristics, we could not obtain meaningful comparisons between weekly and tri-weekly docetaxel administration regimens. This study suggests that adverse effects associated with prophylactic steroid use need to be recognized and optimally managed during docetaxel therapy.