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What is Docetaxel?
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Docetaxel
is an antineoplastic agent belonging to the taxoid
family. It is prepared by semisynthesis beginning with a
precursor extracted from the needle biomass of yew
plants. It is used to treat people with some types of late-stage
cancer. Docetaxel
is chemotherapy that is given as a treatment for some
types of cancer. It is most commonly used to treat
breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, but may be
used for many other types of cancer. This section
describes docetaxel, how it is given and some of its
possible side effects.
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Taxotere is the first anticancer agent to show a
significantly higher response rate doxorubicin, a
very active agent and widely used chemotherapy in the
first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Taxotere also is the first chemotherapy drug as a single
agent to demonstrate increased survival among patients
with advanced breast cancer compared to the combination
of mitomycin C and vinblastine, a commonly used regimen
in this patient population.
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The
chemical name for docetaxel is
(2R,3S)-N-carboxy-3-phenylisoserine, N-tert-butyl ester,
13-ester with
5b-20-epoxy-12a,4,7b,10b,13a-hexahydroxytax- 11-en-9-one
4-acetate 2-benzoate, trihydrate.
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How
does Docetaxel work?
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Docetaxel
damages structures involved in cell division, which
stops growth of cancer cells. It is used to treat breast
cancer and non–small cell lung cancer. It may also be
used to treat bladder, esophageal, ovarian, prostate,
and stomach cancer.
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How
well does Docetaxel work?
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Docetaxel is an
effective antitumor medication. However, the type and
extent of a cancer determines how effectively this
medication slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in
the body.
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Use
Docetaxel treat breat cancer
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Taxotere
as a single agent was compared to mitomycin C in
combination with vinblastine and showed a one-year
survival rate of 49 percent among breast cancer
patients, compared to 33 percent for those treated with
the combination therapy. Fifty percent more patients
treated with Taxotere were alive one year after therapy,
compared to those treated with the combination. Median
time to progression and time to treatment failure were
significantly longer for Taxotere. The overall response
rate among patients treated with Taxotere was 28 percent
vs. the combination’s 9.5 percent.
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Taxotere
has been studied extensively in more than 200 clinical
trials involving more than 85,000 patients worldwide.
Approximately 10,000 breast cancer patients worldwide
have been treated with Taxotere.
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In
one randomized Phase III multi-center study, Taxotere
showed a 50 percent better overall response rate
compared to patients treated with Adriamycin (45 percent
for Taxotere vs. 30 percent for Adriamycin). The overall
response ate is the partial response rate (50 percent of
greater reduction in
measurable tumor size) plus the complete response rate
(complete disappearance of all clinical and radiological
signs of cancer). Median time to progression, time to
treatment failure, and survival were comparable for both
agents.
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How Docetaxel is given? |
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Docetaxel is given by a shot in a vein over 1 hour, every 3 weeks, or in lower doses, weekly. The solution is given as an infusion (drip) into a vein, through a fine needle
(cannula) inserted into the vein. You will probably get another medicine,
dexamethasone, to take the day before and for 2 days after to lessen the chance you will get swelling in your body. Also, you will probably get an antinausea medicine before the
docetaxel, especially if the medicine is given every 3 weeks. The dose depends on your size, how well your liver is working, and how often the medicine is given. Your blood counts will be checked before treatment; if they are too low, the dose may be lowered or the treatment delayed. |
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Docetaxel possible side effects: |
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Each person's reaction to chemotherapy is unique. Some people have very few side effects, while others may experience more. The side effects described in this section will not affect everyone who is given docetaxel, and may be different if you are having more than one chemotherapy drug.
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Docetaxel precaution: |
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Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving. |
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While you are being treated with
docetaxel, and after you stop treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor’s okay. Try to avoid contact with people who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine. Check with your doctor about this. Docetaxel can lower your blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets). Your doctor will check your blood counts before and after each treatment to see how it affects your blood counts. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions if your blood counts are low. |
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Docetaxel can lower your white blood cell count, especially 9 days after the drug is given. This can increase your risk of getting an infection. Report fever of 100.5F or higher, or signs of infection such as pain in passing your urine, coughing, and bringing up sputum. Docetaxel can lower your platelet count. This can increase your risk of bleeding. DO NOT take any aspirin or aspirin–containing medicines. Report unusual bruising, or bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, or black, tarry stools.
Rarely, it is possible to have an allergic reaction when docetaxel is given. You may receive medicines to prevent this. |
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Docetaxel should be administered only under the supervision of a medical oncologist. You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after taking this medication. Discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment. |
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Docetaxel can cause birth defects. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant or father a child while you are taking it.
Do not use alcohol while being treated with docetaxel.
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Docetaxel Clinical Trials 1
Docetaxel Clinical Trials 2
Docetaxel Clinical Trials 3 |
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Docetaxel Clinical Trials 4
Docetaxel Clinical Trials 5
Docetaxel Clinical Trials 6 |
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Docetaxel Patents 1
Docetaxel Patents 2
Docetaxel Patents 3 |
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Docetaxel Patents 4
Docetaxel Patents 5
Docetaxel Patents 6 |
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Disclaimer:
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Information
on this page is provided for general information
purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page
without consulting other references including the
package insert of the drug, textbooks and where
relevant, expert opinion. We cannot be held responsible
for any errors you make in administering drugs mentioned
on this page, nor for use of any erroneous information
contained on this page.
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