Docetaxel (Taxotere) is among the most active agents for metastatic breastcancer. Initial phase II studies of docetaxel administered at 100 mg/m² showedresponse rates of 53% to 68% in patients previously treated withchemotherapy. [2-6] A multicenter phase II study of docetaxel at 75 mg/m² showeda response rate of 52%.

What cancer does epirubicin treat?

Epirubicin is used to treat breast cancer. It is used as adjuvant therapy in women who have had surgery and have lymph node involvement.

Is epirubicin better than doxorubicin?

Findlay et al. have shown that in the metastatic setting at equimolar doses, epirubicin is therapeutically equivalent to doxorubicin, but has a more favorable toxicity profile, including cardiac and hematologic toxicity compared to doxorubicin.

Is docetaxel a strong chemo?

Because the active ingredient, docetaxel, is a strong chemotherapy drug, it also has a long list of side effects. Most of them are typical for drugs in this class, such as nausea, vomiting and temporary alopecia (hair loss).

Do you lose your hair with docetaxel?

You usually lose all the hair from your head. You may also lose your eyelashes and eyebrows, as well as other body hair. Hair loss usually starts after your first or second treatment.

How effective is epirubicin?

The patients received single high doses of the drug every 3 weeks for a maximum of 8 treatment cycles. The results showed an overall response rate of 79%, with 22% having complete responses. Side effects included mainly low blood counts.

What are the side effects of epirubicin?

Side Effects

• Black, tarry stools.
• bleeding, redness, or ulcers in the mouth or throat.
• chest pain.
• cough or hoarseness.
• fever or chills.
• pain or burning in the mouth or throat.
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips.
• swollen glands.

How does docetaxel make you feel?

Numbness and tingling in hands or feet People having docetaxel may have pain, numbness or tingling in their hands and feet. This is due to the effect of docetaxel on the nerves and is known as peripheral neuropathy.

What is docetaxel toxicity in breast cancer?

The taxane chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel has been utilized in the management of breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic setting. Although well tolerated by the majority of patients, docetaxel toxicity may limit the dose which can be administered.

What is the role of taxtaxanes in the treatment of breast cancer?

Taxanes also play an important role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The aims of systemic treatment are to palliate symptoms, prolong survival, and maintain quality of life.

What is the value of docetaxel in the preoperative setting?

The value of docetaxel in the preoperative setting was first demonstrated with the Aberdeen study, in which tumor responses and overall survival were improved with sequential anthracycline–docetaxel when compared with continuing anthracycline chemotherapy.16,17 Taxanes also play an important role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

What are the different dosing schedules for docetaxel?

Dosing schedules. Docetaxel has been used in breast cancer therapy in two dosing schedules which differ in toxicity profiles. The original registration regimen, and the most frequent in clinical practice, is intravenous administration at 3-weekly intervals, with a starting dose of between 60 and 100 mg/m 2.