Dexamethasone premedication for prophylaxis of taxane toxicities: Can the doses be reduced when paclitaxel or docetaxel are given weekly?

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical literature supporting reduced doses of dexamethasone to prevent taxane hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), and edema/skin toxicities in respect to docetaxel, when taxanes are given weekly, as opposed to every 3 weeks.

Data sources: Clinical literature of human-controlled clinical trials, accessed through MEDLINE and meeting abstract databases (from 1990 to 2010).

Data extraction: The retrieved literature was reviewed to include all human clinical trials that recorded adverse effect information with weekly taxanes utilizing reduced-dose or tapering dexamethasone schemas, either prospectively or retrospectively.

Data synthesis: Prophylaxis for paclitaxel-related HSRs generally includes one or more 20 mg doses of dexamethasone, with histamine-1 and -2 receptor antagonists prior to infusion of paclitaxel. Prophylaxis for docetaxel-related HSRs generally includes dexamethasone beginning 1 day before docetaxel, and continuing twice daily for a total of 3 days. These schedules were designed for taxanes given every 3 weeks, but may lead to steroid-related adverse effects when given weekly with weekly taxane administration. Treatment strategies designed to reduce corticosteroid exposure in patients receiving weekly taxanes have been investigated.

Conclusions: Several predication strategies utilizing reduced doses of dexamethasone with weekly taxanes appear to be feasible and safe, and can be considered for patients experiencing, or at high risk for steroid-induced side effects. However, the optimal schedule is not yet determined; larger prospective clinical trials are needed.