Study on the adverse reactions related to paclitaxel and docetaxel infusion

Abstract

To determine the incidence of paclitaxel and docetaxel infusion-associated reactions, and the likely causes that may trigger them. Cohort study of the paclitaxel and docetaxel infusions carried out at a tertiary hospital from July of 2010 to December of 2011 (18 months). For each infusion, the clinical data and the drug-related data were recorded. When a reaction occurred during the infusion the following data were specified: type, severity, if treatment withdrawal was needed. The clinical charts and treatment orders were reviewed. The follow-up of the infusions were done by contacting the day-care hospital nurses. A descriptive study was done for the most relevant variables included in the follow-up and we analyzed if any of them could have had an influence on the occurrence of the reactions. During the study period, 357 paclitaxel and docetaxel infusions were administered to 92 patients: mean age 61.4 years (SD 11.1), 50.0% were female. 9 infusion reactions affecting 8 patients occurred, all of them caused by docetaxel (c2 = 8.3, p = 0.004); 14.5% of the patients receiving it, and always during the first or second treatment cycle. The variables significantly associated to the occurrence of the reaction were: lung cancer (p< 0.005), docetaxel-cisplatin regime (p< 0.005), receiving the drug as first line (p=0.021), and non-advanced disease (p = 0.014). At our hospital, docetaxel is the taxane that has provoked the most frequent safety problems during the infusion.