A Systemic Review of Taxanes and Their Side Effects in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Overview

Journal Front Oncol

Specialty Oncology

Date 2022 Oct 28

PMID 36303832

Authors

Jiun-I Lai

Ta-Chung Chao

Chun-Yu Liu

Chi-Cheng Huang

Ling-Ming Tseng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Taxanes-containing chemotherapy constitutes an essential backbone for both early and metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, the two major taxane drugs-paclitaxel and docetaxel-have distinct safety profiles. In this review, we summarize the safety outcome and management following treatment with both taxanes from selected clinical trials. We utilized PubMed to perform literature search before April 2021. Five phase III randomized controlled trials with reports of individual taxane adverse events (AEs) were included in this review. Grade 3/4 AEs were summarized and discussed extensively. The rates of grade 3/4 neutropenia were higher with docetaxel than with paclitaxel. For non-hematologic grade 3/4 AEs, peripheral neuropathy was more frequent with paclitaxel while fluid retention was more frequent with docetaxel. Compared to paclitaxel, docetaxel had a higher rate of grade 3/4 gastrointestinal AEs. Grade 3/4 myalgia were generally comparable between the two taxanes. Except for neutropenia, the incidence rate of grade 3/4 AEs of taxanes was generally manageable. Peripheral neuropathy was more common with paclitaxel while grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with docetaxel.

Citing Articles

Chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and pain following paclitaxel versus docetaxel in breast cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Gehr N, Timm S, Bennedsgaard K, Grosen K, Jakobsen E, Jensen A Breast. 2025; 80:104424.

PMID: 39978151 PMC: 11880595. DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2025.104424.

Dose-Limiting Toxicities of Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer Patients: Studying Interactions Between Pharmacokinetics, Physical Activity, and Body Composition-A Protocol for an Observational Cohort Study.

De Nys L, Barzegar-Fallah A, Lanckmans K, Steurbaut S, Beckwee D, de Haar-Holleman A Cancers (Basel). 2025; 17(1.

PMID: 39796679 PMC: 11719000. DOI: 10.3390/cancers17010050.

Clinical characteristics and biomarkers of severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis triggered by immunotherapy followed by radiation: a case report.

Zhu Y, Yu J, Ren Q, Wu X, Xu H, Tian T Front Immunol. 2024; 15:1454114.

PMID: 39650655 PMC: 11621207. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1454114.

Post-marketing surveillance of anticancer drugs using natural language processing of electronic medical records.

Kawazoe Y, Shimamoto K, Seki T, Tsuchiya M, Shinohara E, Yada S NPJ Digit Med. 2024; 7(1):315.

PMID: 39521935 PMC: 11550814. DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01323-1.

Phytocompounds and Nanoformulations for Anticancer Therapy: A Review.

Bozzuto G, Calcabrini A, Colone M, Condello M, Dupuis M, Pellegrini E Molecules. 2024; 29(16).

PMID: 39202863 PMC: 11357218. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163784.

References

Stemmler H, Harbeck N, Groll de Rivera I, Vehling Kaiser U, Rauthe G, Abenhardt W . Prospective multicenter randomized phase III study of weekly versus standard docetaxel (D2) for first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Oncology. 2011; 79(3-4):197-203. DOI: 10.1159/000320640. View

Smith T, Khatcheressian J, Lyman G, Ozer H, Armitage J, Balducci L . 2006 update of recommendations for the use of white blood cell growth factors: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2006; 24(19):3187-205. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2006.06.4451. View

Tamiya A, Naito T, Miura S, Morii S, Tsuya A, Nakamura Y . Interstitial lung disease associated with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Anticancer Res. 2012; 32(3):1103-6. View

Meisel A, von Felten S, Vogt D, Liewen H, de Wit R, de Bono J . Severe neutropenia during cabazitaxel treatment is associated with survival benefit in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): A post-hoc analysis of the TROPIC phase III trial. Eur J Cancer. 2016; 56:93-100. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.12.009. View

Jones S, Erban J, Overmoyer B, Budd G, Hutchins L, Lower E . Randomized phase III study of docetaxel compared with paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23(24):5542-51. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2005.02.027. View

Swain S, Tang G, Geyer Jr C, Rastogi P, Atkins J, Donnellan P . Definitive results of a phase III adjuvant trial comparing three chemotherapy regimens in women with operable, node-positive breast cancer: the NSABP B-38 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013; 31(26):3197-204. PMC: 3757290. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2012.48.1275. View

Pegram M, Konecny G, OCallaghan C, Beryt M, Pietras R, Slamon D . Rational combinations of trastuzumab with chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004; 96(10):739-49. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djh131. View

Kramer J, Curran D, Piccart M, de Haes J, Bruning P, Klijn J . Randomised trial of paclitaxel versus doxorubicin as first-line chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer: quality of life evaluation using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the Rotterdam symptom checklist. Eur J Cancer. 2000; 36(12):1488-97. DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(00)00134-9. View

Graziano S, Herndon 2nd J, Socinski M, Wang X, Watson D, Vokes E . Phase II trial of weekly dose-dense paclitaxel in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: cancer and leukemia group B study 39901. J Thorac Oncol. 2008; 3(2):158-62. DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e318161225e. View

10.

De Laurentiis M, Cancello G, DAgostino D, Giuliano M, Giordano A, Montagna E . Taxane-based combinations as adjuvant chemotherapy of early breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Clin Oncol. 2008; 26(1):44-53. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2007.11.3787. View

11.

Chouhan J, Herrington J . Single premedication dose of dexamethasone 20 mg IV before docetaxel administration. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2010; 17(3):155-9. DOI: 10.1177/1078155210367950. View

12.

OShaughnessy J, Miles D, Vukelja S, Moiseyenko V, Ayoub J, Cervantes G . Superior survival with capecitabine plus docetaxel combination therapy in anthracycline-pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer: phase III trial results. J Clin Oncol. 2002; 20(12):2812-23. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2002.09.002. View

13.

Ghoncheh M, Pournamdar Z, Salehiniya H . Incidence and Mortality and Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in the World. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016; 17(S3):43-6. DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2016.17.s3.43. View

14.

Akerley 3rd W . Paclitaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer : an alternative high-dose weekly schedule. Chest. 2000; 117(4 Suppl 1):152S-155S. DOI: 10.1378/chest.117.4_suppl_1.152s. View

15.

Yoo K, Kang R, Lee J, Lee Y, Suh S, Kim K . Awareness of the adverse effects associated with prophylactic corticosteroid use during docetaxel therapy. Support Care Cancer. 2014; 23(7):1969-77. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-014-2547-y. View

16.

Harries M, Moss C, Perren T, Gore M, Hall G, Everard M . A phase II feasibility study of carboplatin followed by sequential weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine as first-line treatment for ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer. 2004; 91(4):627-32. PMC: 2364776. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602000. View

17.

Henderson I, Berry D, Demetri G, Cirrincione C, Goldstein L, Martino S . Improved outcomes from adding sequential Paclitaxel but not from escalating Doxorubicin dose in an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for patients with node-positive primary breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2003; 21(6):976-83. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2003.02.063. View

18.

Seidman A, Tiersten A, Hudis C, Gollub M, Barrett S, Yao T . Phase II trial of paclitaxel by 3-hour infusion as initial and salvage chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1995; 13(10):2575-81. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.1995.13.10.2575. View

19.

Semb K, Aamdal S, Oian P . Capillary protein leak syndrome appears to explain fluid retention in cancer patients who receive docetaxel treatment. J Clin Oncol. 1998; 16(10):3426-32. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.1998.16.10.3426. View

20.

Markman M, Kennedy A, Webster K, Kulp B, Peterson G, Belinson J . Paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reactions: experience of the gynecologic oncology program of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. J Clin Oncol. 2000; 18(1):102-5. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2000.18.1.102. View