A study of docetaxel weekly or every three weeks in combination with carboplatin as first line chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer: Hematological and non-hematological toxicity profiles

open access

The purpose of this study was to compare the toxicity profiles of docetaxel administered on a weekly schedule and the standard three-week schedule in the treatment of advanced primary ovarian carcinoma. Eligible patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel (30 mg/m²) on days 1, 8 and 15, and carboplatin (AUC 5) on day 1 or with docetaxel (75 mg/m²) and carboplatin (AUC 5) on day 1; Q21 days for 6 cycles. This study was a pooled study of two primary phase II studies. A total of 108 patients received the weekly schedule and 59 patients received the three-week schedule. All patients were evaluated for toxicity. The overall response rate was 79% and the biochemical response 93% for the weekly schedule.....

Drug administration

Response evaluation

Toxicity analysis

Statistical analysis

Results

".... The two docetaxel schedules studied showed different toxicity profiles favoring weekly administration with regard to neutropenia, fever and infections as well as problems with oral mucositis and myalgia. Fatigue, epiphora, taste disturbances and nail changes were more specific side-effects of the weekly schedule and in a number of cases a clinical problem. Peripheral sensory neuropathy is a more limited problem with docetaxel compared with paclitaxel but no significant differences were noted between the two regimens studied.

Docetaxel is an alternative to paclitaxel in first-line and second-line chemotherapy regimens for advanced ovarian cancer. Dose-dense schedules with weekly or twice-weekly administrations of the drug should be further explored to improve and optimize the efficacy and the toxicity profile of docetaxel chemotherapy combinations."