Taxol

IV Incompatibilities

Additive: cisplatin (comp at low paxlitaxel conc; incomp at high paclitaxel conc)

Y-site: amphotericin B, amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate, chlorpromazine, doxorubicin liposomal, hydroxyzine, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, mitoxantrone

IV Compatibilities

Additive: carboplatin, doxorubicin

Y-site (partial list): acyclovir, ampicillin-sulbactam, bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, cytarabine, diphenhydramine, famotidine, furosemide, granisetron, heparin, linezolid, lorazepam, MgSO4, morphine SO4, ondansetron, KCl, propofol, NaHCO3, vancomycin

IV Preparation

Further dilution in NS or D5W to a concentration of 0.3-1.2 mg/mL

Standard dilution (IVPB): dose/500-1000 mL D5W or NS

IV Administration

Irritant

Mfr recommends administration over 1-24 hr

Administer taxane derivatives before platinum derivatives (cisplatin, carboplatin) in sequential infusions to limit myelosuppression and to enhance efficacy

Administer corticosteroids, H1-antagonists, H2 antagonists, prior to paclitaxel administration to minimize potential for anaphylaxis

Non-PVC tubing should be used to minimize leaching

Contact of undiluted concentrate with plasticized PVC equipment or devices is not recommended

Administer through IV tubing containing an in-line (0.22 micron) filter

Should be dispensed in either glass or Excel/PAB

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of paclitaxel.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using paclitaxel. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Many drugs can interact with paclitaxel. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with paclitaxel, especially:

• bosentan;
• cyclosporine;
• imatinib;
• nefazodone;
• St. John's wort;
• an antibiotic--clarithromycin, nafcillin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, telithromycin;
• antifungal medication--itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole;
• heart medication--nicardipine, quinidine;
• hepatitis C medications--boceprevir, telaprevir;
• HIV/AIDS medication--atazanavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir; or
• seizure medication--carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with paclitaxel. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Taxol is a prescription medicine used to treat some forms of cancer including:

• advanced ovarian cancer
• breast cancer. It can also be given after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. 
• nonsmall cell lung cancer in patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy. 
• Kaposi’s sarcoma: a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue growth under the skin, in the nose, in the lining of the mouth, in the throat, or in other organs

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Taxol including the following:

• Large decrease in the number of white blood cells (a type of blood cell that is needed to fight infection) in your blood. This increases the risk that you will develop a serious infection. You should not receive Taxol if you already have a low number of white blood cells. Your doctor will order laboratory tests before and during your treatment to check the number of white blood cells in your blood. Your doctor will delay or interrupt your treatment if the number of white blood cells is too low. Call your doctor immediately if you have all or some of the following symptoms:
  • temperature greater than 100.4 °F (38 °C)
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • chills
  • difficult, frequent, or painful urination
• Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience all or some of the following symptoms:
  • difficulty breathing
  • low blood pressure
  • hives or rash
  • swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat, or trouble swallowing
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
  • severe stomach pain
  • severe diarrhea
• Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to Taxol.

Do not receive Taxol if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Taxol. 
• are allergic to other medicines formulated in Cremophor® EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil). 
• you have low white blood cell counts.

Before receiving Taxol, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• are allergic to Taxol or any of its ingredients
• have liver problems
• have heart problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taxol can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Taxol passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive Taxol or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Taxol passes into your breast milk. It is not known if Taxol passes into your breast milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive Taxol or breastfeed.

Paclitaxel is a novel antimicrotubule agent that promotes the assembly of microtubules from tubulin dimers and stabilizes microtubules by preventing depolymerization. This stability results in the inhibition of the normal dynamic reorganization of the microtubule network that is essential for vital interphase and mitotic cellular functions. In addition, paclitaxel induces abnormal arrays or “bundles” of microtubules throughout the cell cycle and multiple asters of microtubules during mitosis.

Following intravenous administration of Taxol, paclitaxel plasma concentrations declined in a biphasic manner. The initial rapid decline represents distribution to the peripheral compartment and elimination of the drug. The later phase is due, in part, to a relatively slow efflux of paclitaxel from the peripheral compartment.

Pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel following 3- and 24-hour infusions of Taxol at dose levels of 135 and 175 mg/m2 were determined in a Phase 3 randomized study in ovarian cancer patients and are summarized in the following table.

It appeared that with the 24-hour infusion of Taxol, a 30% increase in dose (135 mg/m2 vs 175 mg/m2) increased the Cmax by 87%, whereas the AUC(0-∞) remained proportional. However, with a 3-hour infusion, for a 30% increase in dose, the Cmax and AUC(0-∞) were increased by 68% and 89%, respectively. The mean apparent volume of distribution at steady state, with the 24-hour infusion of Taxol, ranged from 227 to 688 L/m2, indicating extensive extravascular distribution and/or tissue binding of paclitaxel.

The pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel were also evaluated in adult cancer patients who received single doses of 15 to 135 mg/m2 given by 1-hour infusions (n=15), 30 to 275 mg/m2 given by 6-hour infusions (n=36), and 200 to 275 mg/m2 given by 24-hour infusions (n=54) in Phase 1 and 2 studies. Values for CLT and volume of distribution were consistent with the findings in the Phase 3 study. The pharmacokinetics of Taxol in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma have not been studied.

In vitro studies of binding to human serum proteins, using paclitaxel concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 50 µg/mL, indicate that between 89 to 98% of drug is bound; the presence of cimetidine, ranitidine, dexamethasone, or diphenhydramine did not affect protein binding of paclitaxel.

After intravenous administration of 15 to 275 mg/m2 doses of Taxol as 1-, 6-, or 24-hour infusions, mean values for cumulative urinary recovery of unchanged drug ranged from 1.3% to 12.6% of the dose, indicating extensive non-renal clearance. In 5 patients administered a 225 or 250 mg/m2 dose of radiolabeled Taxol as a 3-hour infusion, a mean of 71% of the radioactivity was excreted in the feces in 120 hours, and 14% was recovered in the urine. Total recovery of radioactivity ranged from 56% to 101% of the dose. Paclitaxel represented a mean of 5% of the administered radioactivity recovered in the feces, while metabolites, primarily 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel, accounted for the balance. In vitro studies with human liver microsomes and tissue slices showed that paclitaxel was metabolized primarily to 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel by the cytochrome P450 isozyme CYP2C8; and to 2 minor metabolites, 3′-p-hydroxypaclitaxel and 6α, 3′-p-dihydroxypaclitaxel, by CYP3A4. In vitro, the metabolism of paclitaxel to 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel was inhibited by a number of agents (ketoconazole, verapamil, diazepam, quinidine, dexamethasone, cyclosporin, teniposide, etoposide, and vincristine), but the concentrations used exceeded those found in vivo following normal therapeutic doses. Testosterone, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, retinoic acid, and quercetin, a specific inhibitor of CYP2C8, also inhibited the formation of 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel in vitro. The pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel may also be altered in vivo as a result of interactions with compounds that are substrates, inducers, or inhibitors of CYP2C8 and/or CYP3A4. (See PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions.)

The disposition and toxicity of paclitaxel 3-hour infusion were evaluated in 35 patients with varying degrees of hepatic function. Relative to patients with normal bilirubin, plasma paclitaxel exposure in patients with abnormal serum bilirubin ≤2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) administered 175 mg/m2 was increased, but with no apparent increase in the frequency or severity of toxicity. In 5 patients with serum total bilirubin >2 times ULN, there was a statistically nonsignificant higher incidence of severe myelosuppression, even at a reduced dose (110 mg/m2), but no observed increase in plasma exposure. (See PRECAUTIONS: Hepatic and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.) The effect of renal dysfunction on the disposition of paclitaxel has not been investigated.

Possible interactions of paclitaxel with concomitantly administered medications have not been formally investigated.

Ovarian Carcinoma

The safety and efficacy of Taxol followed by cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and no prior chemotherapy were evaluated in 2, Phase 3 multicenter, randomized, controlled trials. In an Intergroup study led by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer involving the Scandinavian Group NOCOVA, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and the Scottish Group, 680 patients with Stage IIB–C, III, or IV disease (optimally or non-optimally debulked) received either Taxol 175 mg/m2 infused over 3 hours followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (Tc) or cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (Cc) for a median of 6 courses. Although the protocol allowed further therapy, only 15% received both drugs for 9 or more courses. In a study conducted by the Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG), 410 patients with Stage III or IV disease (>1 cm residual disease after staging laparotomy or distant metastases) received either Taxol 135 mg/m2 infused over 24 hours followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 for 6 courses.

In both studies, patients treated with Taxol (paclitaxel) in combination with cisplatin had significantly higher response rate, longer time to progression, and longer survival time compared with standard therapy. These differences were also significant for the subset of patients in the Intergroup study with non-optimally debulked disease, although the study was not fully powered for subset analyses (TABLES 2A and 2B). Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each study are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 1
SURVIVAL: Cc VERSUS Tc (INTERGROUP)

FIGURE 2
SURVIVAL: Cc VERSUS Tc (GOG-111)

The adverse event profile for patients receiving Taxol in combination with cisplatin in these studies was qualitatively consistent with that seen for the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients treated with single-agent Taxol in 10 clinical studies. These adverse events and adverse events from the Phase 3 first-line ovarian carcinoma studies are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 11) and narrative form.

Data from 5, Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies (189 patients), a multicenter randomized Phase 3 study (407 patients), as well as an interim analysis of data from more than 300 patients enrolled in a treatment referral center program were used in support of the use of Taxol in patients who have failed initial or subsequent chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoma of the ovary. Two of the Phase 2 studies (92 patients) utilized an initial dose of 135 to 170 mg/m2 in most patients (>90%) administered over 24 hours by continuous infusion. Response rates in these 2 studies were 22% (95% CI,11–37%) and 30% (95% CI, 18–46%) with a total of 6 complete and 18 partial responses in 92 patients. The median duration of overall response in these 2 studies measured from the first day of treatment was 7.2 months (range, 3.5–15.8 months) and 7.5 months (range, 5.3–17.4 months), respectively. The median survival was 8.1 months (range, 0.2–36.7 months) and 15.9 months (range, 1.8–34.5+ months).

The Phase 3 study had a bifactorial design and compared the efficacy and safety of Taxol (paclitaxel), administered at 2 different doses (135 or 175 mg/m2) and schedules (3- or 24-hour infusion). The overall response rate for the 407 patients was 16.2% (95% CI, 12.8–20.2%), with 6 complete and 60 partial responses. Duration of response, measured from the first day of treatment was 8.3 months (range, 3.2–21.6 months). Median time to progression was 3.7 months (range, 0.1+ to 25.1+ months). Median survival was 11.5 months (range, 0.2 to 26.3+ months).

Response rates, median survival, and median time to progression for the 4 arms are given in the following table.

Analyses were performed as planned by the bifactorial study design described in the protocol, by comparing the 2 doses (135 or 175 mg/m2) irrespective of the schedule (3 or 24 hours) and the 2 schedules irrespective of dose. Patients receiving the 175 mg/m2 dose had a response rate similar to that for those receiving the 135 mg/m2 dose: 18% versus 14% (p=0.28). No difference in response rate was detected when comparing the 3-hour with the 24-hour infusion: 15% versus 17% (p=0.50). Patients receiving the 175 mg/m2 dose of Taxol had a longer time to progression than those receiving the 135 mg/m2 dose: median 4.2 versus 3.1 months (p=0.03). The median time to progression for patients receiving the 3-hour versus the 24-hour infusion was 4.0 months versus 3.7 months, respectively. Median survival was 11.6 months in patients receiving the 175 mg/m2 dose of Taxol and 11.0 months in patients receiving the 135 mg/m2 dose (p=0.92). Median survival was 11.7 months for patients receiving the 3-hour infusion of Taxol and 11.2 months for patients receiving the 24-hour infusion (p=0.91). These statistical analyses should be viewed with caution because of the multiple comparisons made.

Taxol remained active in patients who had developed resistance to platinum-containing therapy (defined as tumor progression while on, or tumor relapse within 6 months from completion of, a platinum-containing regimen) with response rates of 14% in the Phase 3 study and 31% in the Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies.

The adverse event profile in this Phase 3 study was consistent with that seen for the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients treated in 10 clinical studies. These adverse events and adverse events from the Phase 3 second-line ovarian carcinoma study are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 12) and narrative form.

The results of this randomized study support the use of Taxol at doses of 135 to 175 mg/m2, administered by a 3-hour intravenous infusion. The same doses administered by 24-hour infusion were more toxic. However, the study had insufficient power to determine whether a particular dose and schedule produced superior efficacy.

Breast Carcinoma

A Phase 3 Intergroup study (Cancer and Leukemia Group B [CALGB], Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG], North Central Cancer Treatment Group [NCCTG], and Southwest Oncology Group [SWOG]) randomized 3170 patients with node-positive breast carcinoma to adjuvant therapy with Taxol or to no further chemotherapy following 4 courses of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC). This multicenter trial was conducted in women with histologically positive lymph nodes following either a mastectomy or segmental mastectomy and nodal dissections. The 3 x 2 factorial study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 3 different dose levels of doxorubicin (A) and to evaluate the effect of the addition of Taxol administered following the completion of AC therapy. After stratification for the number of positive lymph nodes (1–3, 4–9, or 10+), patients were randomized to receive cyclophosphamide at a dose of 600 mg/m2 and doxorubicin at doses of either 60 mg/m2 (on day 1), 75 mg/m2 (in 2 divided doses on days 1 and 2), or 90 mg/m2 (in 2 divided doses on days 1 and 2 with prophylactic G-CSF support and ciprofloxacin) every 3 weeks for 4 courses and either Taxol 175 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion every 3 weeks for 4 additional courses or no additional chemotherapy. Patients whose tumors were positive were to receive subsequent tamoxifen treatment (20 mg daily for 5 years); patients who received segmental mastectomies prior to study were to receive breast irradiation after recovery from treatment-related toxicities.

At the time of the current analysis, median follow-up was 30.1 months. Of the 2066 patients who were hormone receptor positive, 93% received tamoxifen. The primary analyses of disease-free survival and overall survival used multivariate Cox models, which included Taxol administration, doxorubicin dose, number of positive lymph nodes, tumor size, menopausal status, and estrogen receptor status as factors. Based on the model for disease-free survival, patients receiving AC followed by Taxol had a 22% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence compared to patients randomized to AC alone (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.78, 95% CI, 0.67–0.91, p=0.0022). They also had a 26% reduction in the risk of death (HR=0.74, 95% CI, 0.60–0.92, p=0.0065). For disease-free survival and overall survival, p-values were not adjusted for interim analyses. Kaplan-Meier curves are shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Increasing the dose of doxorubicin higher than 60 mg/m2 had no effect on either disease-free survival or overall survival.

FIGURE 3
DISEASE-FREE SURVIVAL: AC VERSUS AC+T

FIGURE 4
SURVIVAL: AC VERSUS AC+T

Subset analyses. Subsets defined by variables of known prognostic importance in adjuvant breast carcinoma were examined, including number of positive lymph nodes, tumor size, hormone receptor status, and menopausal status. Such analyses must be interpreted with care, as the most secure finding is the overall study result. In general, a reduction in hazard similar to the overall reduction was seen with Taxol (paclitaxel) for both disease-free and overall survival in all of the larger subsets with one exception; patients with receptor-positive tumors had a smaller reduction in hazard (HR=0.92) for disease-free survival with Taxol than other groups. Results of subset analyses are shown in TABLE 4.

These retrospective subgroup analyses suggest that the beneficial effect of Taxol (paclitaxel) is clearly established in the receptor-negative subgroup, but the benefit in receptor-positive patients is not yet clear. With respect to menopausal status, the benefit of Taxol is consistent (see TABLE 4 and FIGURES 5–8).

FIGURE 5
DISEASE-FREE SURVIVALRECEPTOR STATUS NEGATIVE/UNKNOWN
AC VERSUS AC+T

FIGURE 6
DISEASE-FREE SURVIVALRECEPTOR STATUS POSITIVE
AC VERSUS AC+T

FIGURE 7
DISEASE-FREE SURVIVALPREMENOPAUSAL
AC VERSUS AC+T

FIGURE 8
DISEASE-FREE SURVIVALPOSTMENOPAUSAL
AC VERSUS AC+T

The adverse event profile for the patients who received Taxol subsequent to AC was consistent with that seen in the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients (TABLE 10) treated with single-agent Taxol in 10 clinical studies. These adverse events are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 13) and narrative form.

Data from 83 patients accrued in 3, Phase 2 open-label studies and from 471 patients enrolled in a Phase 3 randomized study were available to support the use of Taxol in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma.

Phase 2 open-label studies: Two studies were conducted in 53 patients previously treated with a maximum of 1 prior chemotherapeutic regimen. Taxol was administered in these 2 trials as a 24-hour infusion at initial doses of 250 mg/m2 (with G-CSF support) or 200 mg/m2. The response rates were 57% (95% CI, 37–75%) and 52% (95% CI, 32–72%), respectively. The third Phase 2 study was conducted in extensively pretreated patients who had failed anthracycline therapy and who had received a minimum of 2 chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. The dose of Taxol was 200 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion with G-CSF support. Nine of 30 patients achieved a partial response, for a response rate of 30% (95% CI, 15–50%).

Phase 3 randomized study: This multicenter trial was conducted in patients previously treated with 1 or 2 regimens of chemotherapy. Patients were randomized to receive Taxol (paclitaxel) at a dose of either 175 mg/m2 or 135 mg/m2 given as a 3-hour infusion. In the 471 patients enrolled, 60% had symptomatic disease with impaired performance status at study entry, and 73% had visceral metastases. These patients had failed prior chemotherapy either in the adjuvant setting (30%), the metastatic setting (39%), or both (31%). Sixty-seven percent of the patients had been previously exposed to anthracyclines and 23% of them had disease considered resistant to this class of agents.

The overall response rate for the 454 evaluable patients was 26% (95% CI, 22–30%), with 17 complete and 99 partial responses. The median duration of response, measured from the first day of treatment, was 8.1 months (range, 3.4–18.1+ months). Overall for the 471 patients, the median time to progression was 3.5 months (range, 0.03–17.1 months). Median survival was 11.7 months (range, 0–18.9 months).

Response rates, median survival and median time to progression for the 2 arms are given in the following table.

The adverse event profile of the patients who received single-agent Taxol in the Phase 3 study was consistent with that seen for the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients treated in 10 clinical studies. These adverse events and adverse events from the Phase 3 breast carcinoma study are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 14) and narrative form.

Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC)

In a Phase 3 open-label randomized study conducted by the ECOG, 599 patients were randomized to either Taxol (T) 135 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion in combination with cisplatin (c) 75 mg/m2, Taxol (T) 250 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion in combination with cisplatin (c) 75 mg/m2 with G-CSF support, or cisplatin (c) 75 mg/m2 on day 1, followed by etoposide (VP) 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, and 3 (control).

Response rates, median time to progression, median survival, and 1-year survival rates are given in the following table. The reported p-values have not been adjusted for multiple comparisons. There were statistically significant differences favoring each of the Taxol plus cisplatin arms for response rate and time to tumor progression. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between either Taxol plus cisplatin arm and the cisplatin plus etoposide arm.

In the ECOG study, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) questionnaire had 7 subscales that measured subjective assessment of treatment. Of the 7, the Lung Cancer Specific Symptoms subscale favored the Taxol 135 mg/m2/24 hour plus cisplatin arm compared to the cisplatin/etoposide arm. For all other factors, there was no difference in the treatment groups.

The adverse event profile for patients who received Taxol in combination with cisplatin in this study was generally consistent with that seen for the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients treated with single-agent Taxol in 10 clinical studies. These adverse events and adverse events from the Phase 3 first-line NSCLC study are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 15) and narrative form.

AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Data from 2, Phase 2 open-label studies support the use of Taxol (paclitaxel) as second-line therapy in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. Fifty-nine of the 85 patients enrolled in these studies had previously received systemic therapy, including interferon alpha (32%), DaunoXome® (31%), DOXIL® (2%), and doxorubicin containing chemotherapy (42%), with 64% having received prior anthracyclines. Eighty-five percent of the pretreated patients had progressed on, or could not tolerate, prior systemic therapy.

DaunoXome® is a registered trademark of Gilead Sciences, Inc.
DOXIL® is a registered trademark of ALZA Corporation.

In Study CA139-174, patients received Taxol at 135 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion every 3 weeks (intended dose intensity 45 mg/m2/week). If no dose-limiting toxicity was observed, patients were to receive 155 mg/m2 and 175 mg/m2 in subsequent courses. Hematopoietic growth factors were not to be used initially. In Study CA139-281, patients received Taxol at 100 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion every 2 weeks (intended dose intensity 50 mg/m2/week). In this study patients could be receiving hematopoietic growth factors before the start of Taxol therapy, or this support was to be initiated as indicated; the dose of Taxol was not increased. The dose intensity of Taxol used in this patient population was lower than the dose intensity recommended for other solid tumors.

All patients had widespread and poor-risk disease. Applying the ACTG staging criteria to patients with prior systemic therapy, 93% were poor risk for extent of disease (T1), 88% had a CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 (I1), and 97% had poor risk considering their systemic illness (S1).

All patients in Study CA139-174 had a Karnofsky performance status of 80 or 90 at baseline; in Study CA139-281, there were 26 (46%) patients with a Karnofsky performance status of 70 or worse at baseline.

Although the planned dose intensity in the 2 studies was slightly different (45 mg/m2/week in Study CA139-174 and 50 mg/m2/week in Study CA139-281), delivered dose intensity was 38 to 39 mg/m2/week in both studies, with a similar range (20–24 to 51–61).

The efficacy of Taxol was evaluated by assessing cutaneous tumor response according to the amended ACTG criteria and by seeking evidence of clinical benefit in patients in 6 domains of symptoms and/or conditions that are commonly related to AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.

The objective response rate was 59% (95% CI, 46–72%) (35 of 59 patients) in patients with prior systemic therapy. Cutaneous responses were primarily defined as flattening of more than 50% of previously raised lesions.

The median time to response was 8.1 weeks and the median duration of response measured from the first day of treatment was 10.4 months (95% CI, 7.0–11.0 months) for the patients who had previously received systemic therapy. The median time to progression was 6.2 months (95% CI, 4.6–8.7 months).

Most data on patient benefit were assessed retrospectively (plans for such analyses were not included in the study protocols). Nonetheless, clinical descriptions and photographs indicated clear benefit in some patients, including instances of improved pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary involvement, improved ambulation, resolution of ulcers, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) involving the feet and resolution of facial lesions and edema in patients with KS involving the face, extremities, and genitalia.

The adverse event profile of Taxol administered to patients with advanced HIV disease and poor-risk AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma was generally similar to that seen in the pooled analysis of data from 812 patients with solid tumors. These adverse events and adverse events from the Phase 2 second-line Kaposi’s sarcoma studies are described in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section in tabular (TABLES 10 and 16) and narrative form. In this immunosuppressed patient population, however, a lower dose intensity of Taxol and supportive therapy including hematopoietic growth factors in patients with severe neutropenia are recommended. Patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma may have more severe hematologic toxicities than patients with solid tumors.

You should not be given Taxol if you are allergic to paclitaxel, or to other medications that contain an ingredient called Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil). This includes cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) and teniposide (Vumon).

Before you receive Taxol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• heart disease; or

• a severely weak immune system.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive Taxol.

FDA pregnancy category D. Taxol can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive Taxol without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Taxol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive Taxol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling, fever, chills, mouth sores, unusual bleeding or weakness, or any signs of infection.

There are many other medicines that can interact with Taxol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Applies to paclitaxel: intravenous solution

Along with its needed effects, paclitaxel (the active ingredient contained in Taxol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking paclitaxel:

• Black or tarry stools
• blurred vision
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness with fever or chills
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• feeling of warmth
• fever or chills
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• shortness of breath
• skin rash or itching
• sore throat
• sweating
• troubled breathing with exertion
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

• Blood in the urine or stools
• difficult or labored breathing
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• shortness of breath (severe)
• slow heartbeat
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

• Anxiety
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• difficult or troubled breathing
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• sudden shortness of breath

Some side effects of paclitaxel may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• cracked lips
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• hair loss
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• pain in the joints or muscles, especially in the arms or legs
• thinning of the hair