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Coping with toxicities of docetaxel (Taxotere)
D Schrijvers1, J Wanders, L Dirix
1Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
Background:
In phase II studies of the EORTC-ECTG, acute hypersensitivity reaction, edema and skin toxicity were important side effects of docetaxel (TaxotereTM).
Patients And Methods:
Fifty patients with solid tumors were treated with docetaxel at the University Hospital of Antwerp. Of these, 28% developed an acute hypersensitivity reaction and 20% edema. Twelve and three hours before the next docetaxel administrations those with the acute hypersensitivity reaction were subsequently pretreated orally with 32 mg of methylprednisolone, 10 mg of cetirizine and 1 mg of ketotifen.
Conclusions:
The acute hypersensitivity reaction could be completely blocked in all but in 1 of 14 patients, and this pretreatment schedule had an important prophylactic effect on edema formation. Skin toxicity was successfully treated with an ointment of glycerin and chlorhexidine.