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Paclitaxel in a novel formulation containing less Cremophor EL as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer: a phase II trial.

Chao TC, Chu Z, Tseng LM, Chiou TJ, Hsieh RK, Wang WS, Yen CC, Yang MH, Hsiao LT, Liu JH, Chen PM

Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan, R.O.C..

Paclitaxel (Taxol) is formulated in 50% Cremophor EL (CrEL)/absolute ethanol for clinical use. In order to reduce vehicle-related side effects, Genetaxyl was developed to have paclitaxel formulated in a solution containing lesser amounts of CrEL and ethanol plus 2 other solvents. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Genetaxyl as first-line therapy to treat breast cancer patients. Patients with newly diagnosed stage III (N = 8) or IV (N = 10), or recurrent (N = 11) breast cancer received single-agent Genetaxyl at 175 mg/m(2) administered in a 3-h infusion every 3 weeks for 3-6 cycles. A total of 148 cycles were delivered to 29 patients. The overall response rate was 41.4% (95% confidence interval, 23.4 to 59.2%), and that of patients with metastatic disease (N = 20) was 30%. Median survival for all patients was 32.4 months and 24.3 months for patients having metastatic disease. The toxicity profile seems favorable, especially regarding myelosuppression and myalgia/arthralgia. No severe hypersensitivity reaction occurred. These phase II trial results demonstrate that a 60% reduction of CrEL by Genetaxyl's formulation does not affect the activity of paclitaxel and could allow for better control of several CrEL-related toxicities.

Published 3 March 2005 in Invest New Drugs, 23(2): 171-7.
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