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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Carotid Artery Infusions for Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Taxanes in Mice
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Genetic polymorphisms and paclitaxel- or docetaxel-induced toxicities: A systematic review

C N Frederiks1, S W Lam1, H J Guchelaar2

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|November 21, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pharmacogenetic studies reveal complex genetic factors influencing taxane (chemotherapy) side effects. More robust research is needed to identify specific genetic variants impacting patient responses to these vital cancer drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Oncology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel) are crucial cancer treatments.
  • Treatment often limited by dose-limiting toxicities.
  • Individual susceptibility to taxane toxicity varies significantly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review pharmacogenetic studies.
  • Identify genetic variants associated with taxane-induced adverse events.
  • Understand individual differences in taxane toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search (PubMed, Embase).
  • Focused on pharmacogenetic reports of taxane toxicities (gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological).
  • Included 51 eligible studies on adult patients with solid tumors.

Main Results:

  • Commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are in pharmacokinetic genes (CYP450, drug transporters).
  • Data on variants in ABCB1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2C8 are inconclusive regarding toxicity risk and drug exposure.
  • Emerging research explores pharmacodynamic genes (e.g., TUBB2A, EPHA5, EPHA6) for neurotoxicity links.

Conclusions:

  • Designing robust pharmacogenetic studies for taxane toxicity is complex.
  • Validation of SNPs requires well-designed studies with objective endpoints.
  • Further investigation of novel genes and patient cohorts is essential to clarify individual taxane toxicity differences.
Keywords:
DocetaxelPaclitaxelPharmacogeneticsSingle nucleotide polymorphismsToxicity

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