Toxicity
Doxorubicin was more toxic than paclitaxel in terms of haematologic, gastrointestinal and cardiac side effects. In contrast, paclitaxel elicited more neurotoxicity (mainly sensory) and arthralgia/myalgia. 6 toxic deaths were encountered: 3 after doxorubicin as first-line therapy; 2 after doxorubicin as second-line therapy and 1 after paclitaxel in second-line treatment.
Regarding cardiotoxicity, a total of 12 patients (6 on first-line doxorubicin, 2 on second-line paclitaxel and 4 on second-line doxorubicin) developed congestive heart failure. The median cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 480 mg/m2.
An average of 93% and 99% of the planned dose intensities were reached in the doxorubicin and paclitaxel arms respectively.
In terms of QOL, there was no difference reported between groups. A detailed analysis showed that the greater toxicity of doxorubicin was compensated by better pain control than that achieved with paclitaxel.r
Toxicities observed during first- and second-line treatmentr
© Journal of Clinical Oncology 2000
© Journal of Clinical Oncology 2000