Toxicity profile of taxanes in Tunisian cancer patients: A retrospective study of 90 cases

Abstract

Introduction: Taxanes are widely used in medical oncology. The aim of our study was to report and analyze the toxicity features of these drugs in Tunisian patients and to determine their impact on treatment response.

Methods: Our retrospective study concerned 90 patients treated by taxanes in a medical oncology unit, from January 2014 to January 2017. We collected their epidemiologic and anatomo-clinical data and we detailed toxicity features including types grades and impact on tumor response.

Results: Median age was 46 years. 80% of patients had breast cancer. Tumors were metastatic in 23.3% of cases. Nail toxicity was observed in 100% of patients. Grade I-II digestive toxicity was observed in 54.4% of cases. Hematological toxicity was noted in 42.2% of patients and it reached grade III-IV in five patients. Neurological toxicity occurred in 31% of patients and was grade III-IV in 6 cases. Alopecia was observed in 60% of patients. Fatigue was noted in 57.8% of patients. Myalgia was observed in 42.2% of patients. Toxicity did not affect the response to treatment.

Conclusion: The taxanes' toxicity profile in Tunisian patients is characterized by more frequent digestive and nail toxicities and less frequent hematological toxicities, dose reduction and treatment delays than other populations.

Keywords: Cancer; Docetaxel; Paclitaxel; Toxicity.