Docetaxel (TaxotereTM), a novel taxoid, in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma : an EORTC early clinical trials group study

• Published in: British journal of cancer 1994-08, Vol.70 (2), p.376-379
• Main Authors: STERNBERG, C. N, TEN BOKKEL HUININK, W. W, SMYTH, J. F, BRUNTSCH, V, DIRIX, L. Y, PAVLIDIS, N. A, FRANKLIN, H, WANDERS, S, LE BAIL, N, KAYE, S. B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Chemotherapy; Colorectal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Docetaxel; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Paclitaxel - administration & dosage; Paclitaxel - adverse effects; Paclitaxel - analogs & derivatives; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Taxoids
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1994.309

Docetaxel (Taxotere), a new semisynthetic taxoid, is a potentially important chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer. Forty patients with bidimensionally measurable advanced adenocarcinoma of the colon were treated with docetaxel 100 mg m-2 every 3 weeks as a 1 h infusion without routine premedication. Thirty-nine patients were eligible: 23 males and 16 females. Median age was 60 years (range 41-75) and WHO performance status 1 (0-2). Prior adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in four patients and prior radiotherapy in nine patients. Bidimensionally measurable disease sites included: liver in 26 patients, lymph nodes and abdominal/peritoneal masses in 13, lung/mediastinal masses in ten and subcutaneous nodes in four. The median number of cycles given was 2 (range 1-15). Thirty-three patients were evaluable for response. One patient (3%) achieved a complete response and two (6%) (95% confidence limits 0-14%) a partial response. Side-effects were similar to those observed in other studies. Docetaxel, given at this dosage and schedule, has minimal activity in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma.