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Docetaxel

Docetaxel, also known by its brand name Taxotere, is a chemotherapy drug being studied in various clinical trials for the treatment of different types of cancer. These trials aim to evaluate its effectiveness, safety, and potential combinations with other drugs to improve outcomes for patients with advanced solid tumors, breast cancer, and other malignancies.

Table of Contents

What is Docetaxel?

Docetaxel is a powerful chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer. It’s also known by its brand name Taxotere[1]. Docetaxel belongs to a class of drugs called taxanes, which are derived from yew trees and work by interfering with cell division[2].

What Conditions Does Docetaxel Treat?

Docetaxel is used to treat several types of cancer, including:

  • Breast cancer: It’s used in both early-stage and advanced breast cancer[3]
  • Non-small cell lung cancer: Docetaxel is used as a second-line treatment for this type of lung cancer[1]
  • Prostate cancer: It’s used in combination with other treatments for high-risk localized prostate cancer[4]
  • Gastric (stomach) cancer: Docetaxel is used in combination with other drugs for advanced gastric cancer[5]
  • Head and neck cancers: It’s being studied for use in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a type of head and neck cancer[6]
  • Germ cell cancers: Docetaxel is being investigated for use in recurrent or refractory germ cell cancers[7]

How Does Docetaxel Work?

Docetaxel works by interfering with the way cancer cells divide and grow. Specifically, it:

  • Stops cancer cells from dividing, which prevents them from growing or causes them to die[7]
  • May also affect the blood vessels that feed tumors, potentially slowing their growth[5]

How is Docetaxel Administered?

Docetaxel is typically given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which means it’s delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein. The specific administration details can vary depending on the type of cancer and treatment plan, but generally:

  • It’s often given once every 3 weeks, in what’s called a treatment cycle[6]
  • The infusion usually takes about 1 hour[8]
  • The dose is typically calculated based on your body surface area (which takes into account your height and weight)[9]

Potential Side Effects

Like all chemotherapy drugs, docetaxel can cause side effects. Some common side effects may include:

  • Lowered blood cell counts, which can increase risk of infection or bleeding
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth sores

Your healthcare team will monitor you closely for these and other side effects and can provide treatments to help manage them[10].

Ongoing Research and Clinical Trials

Researchers continue to study docetaxel to find new ways to use it effectively. Some areas of ongoing research include:

  • Combining docetaxel with newer immunotherapy drugs for prostate cancer[10]
  • Using docetaxel before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) in breast cancer to shrink tumors[3]
  • Combining docetaxel with other chemotherapy drugs for gastric cancer[9]
  • Testing docetaxel as part of treatment regimens for nasopharyngeal carcinoma[6]

These studies aim to improve the effectiveness of docetaxel and find new ways to use it to help more patients with cancer.

Aspect Details
Drug Name Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Cancer Types Studied Advanced breast cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, solid tumors
Administration Method Intravenous (IV) infusion
Common Dosage 75-100 mg/m² every 3 weeks (may vary by trial)
Combination Therapies Capecitabine, Cisplatin, Herceptin (Trastuzumab)
Primary Outcomes Measured Tumor response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival
Secondary Outcomes Safety profile, quality of life, pharmacokinetics
Biomarker Studies Gene expression profiling to predict treatment response

FAQ

  • What is Docetaxel and how does it work? Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug that belongs to the taxane family. It works by interfering with cell division, which helps to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading.
  • What types of cancer is Docetaxel being studied for? Docetaxel is being investigated for various types of cancer, including advanced breast cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and other solid tumors.
  • How is Docetaxel administered in clinical trials? In most trials, Docetaxel is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, typically every 3 weeks. The dose may vary depending on the specific trial and patient characteristics.
  • Are there any side effects associated with Docetaxel? Common side effects of Docetaxel may include low blood cell counts, fatigue, hair loss, and nausea. Clinical trials closely monitor patients for adverse events and adjust treatment as needed.
  • How do researchers determine if Docetaxel is effective in clinical trials? Researchers assess the effectiveness of Docetaxel by measuring outcomes such as tumor response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. They also compare its performance to other treatments or combinations.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Docetaxel

  • Study on the Effectiveness of Bemarituzumab and FLOT Chemotherapy for Patients with Resectable Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    France

  • Study Comparing BMS-986365 with Other Treatments for Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated Drugs:
    Austria Czechia Denmark France Germany Ireland +6

  • Study Comparing Acasunlimab and Pembrolizumab with Docetaxel for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Previous Treatments

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Estonia France +9

  • Study on Treating Stomach Cancer with Peritoneal Spread Using Docetaxel and Oxaliplatin in Patients with Limited Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    Denmark Finland The Netherlands Sweden

  • Study of Livmoniplimab and Budigalimab Compared to Chemotherapy for Adults with Advanced Bladder Cancer

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated Drugs:
    Belgium France Poland Spain

  • Study of PF-06821497 with Enzalutamide for Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Previously Treated with Abiraterone Acetate

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    Czechia France Germany Greece Hungary Italy +5

  • Study Comparing Datopotamab Deruxtecan and Docetaxel for Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    Belgium France Germany Italy The Netherlands Poland +1

  • Study on Reducing Chemotherapy for Patients with Low-Risk Localized Gastroesophageal Cancer Using Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, Calcium Folinate, and Fluorouracil

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    France

  • Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of AZD0901 Compared to Standard Treatments for Adults with Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Expressing Claudin 18.2

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    France Germany Italy Poland Spain

  • Study on Radium-223, Docetaxel, and Prednisone for Patients with Bone-Only Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Investigated Drugs:
    Italy

Glossary

  • Docetaxel: A chemotherapy drug belonging to the taxane family, used to treat various types of cancer by interfering with cell division.
  • Taxotere: The brand name for Docetaxel.
  • Intravenous (IV) infusion: A method of administering medication directly into a vein using a needle or catheter.
  • Neoadjuvant therapy: Treatment given before the main treatment, often used to shrink tumors before surgery.
  • Adjuvant therapy: Additional treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk of cancer returning.
  • Pharmacokinetics: The study of how a drug moves through the body, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
  • Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives without the cancer progressing.
  • Overall survival (OS): The length of time from the start of treatment or diagnosis that patients are still alive.
  • Adverse events: Undesirable experiences associated with the use of a medical product in a patient.
  • Biomarkers: Measurable indicators of a biological state or condition, often used to predict treatment response or disease progression.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00065182
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00002662
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00206505
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01530295
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02007148
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00916097
  7. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00002903
  8. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02339532
  9. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00816543
  10. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03879122