Taxol hypersensitivity: rapid retreatment is safe and cost effective

The aim of this study was to describe a rapid retreatment strategy that is safe and cost effective in ovarian cancer patients with Taxol hypersensitivity reactions.

A retrospective review of 91 women receiving Taxol-based chemotherapy at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between October 1991 and July 1996 was performed. All patients who developed hypersensitivity reactions to Taxol were identified and their treatment course and outcome were reviewed.

Seven women (7.7%) developed hypersensitivity reactions. All received standard premedications consisting of corticosteroids and histamine blockers. Six of the seven were rechallenged with the original Taxol solution starting at a slower rate. In these cases the infusion was completed within 24 h and none of these patients had a reaction in subsequent courses. One patient was not retreated due to the severity of her reaction during a 3-h infusion.

Retreatment with the original Taxol solution is safe and cost effective in most patients with hypersensitivity reactions. Retreatment with Taxol should be completed within 24 h. A schema for retreatment is presented.