A comparative study of adverse reactions of taxol and non taxol based chemotherapy regimens in breast cancer

Authors

  • Geetha Rani Department of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India
  • Dulcie Celia Department of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India
  • Ezhil Ramya Department of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India
  • Meenakshi Balasubramanium Department of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20162489

Keywords:

Breast cancer, Paclitaxel, 5-Flurouracil, Adverse reactions

Abstract

Background: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in India. A combination of medicines is typically used to treat breast cancer. All the medications used in treatment are associated with various side effects. So this study is done to estimate and compare the adverse reactions of taxol and non-taxol based chemotherapy regimens in breast cancer patients attending Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.

Methods: The study was conducted in the oncology ward at TVMCH for a period of 60 days from August 2nd October 2nd 2014. Patients with unilateral or bilateral carcinoma breast with or without metastasis, receiving chemotherapy were included. Medication details such as the type of regimen, dose, and duration of regimen and relevant data of lab investigations were collected. 30 patients who fulfilled study criteria were included, out of which 16 were assigned FAC (5flurouracil, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide) regimen and 14 were assigned PAC (paclitaxel, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide) regimen.

Results: The incidence of adverse reactions like myelodepression resulting in Neutropenia (64.28%), Anaemia (57%) and Thrombocytopaenia (21%) was comparatively higher with PAC regimens than FAC regimen. Nausea (75%) and vomiting (43%) was found to be higher with FAC regimen despite anti-emetic use. No serious adverse reactions occurred in either regimens.

Conclusions: The adverse reaction profile of FAC regimen was found to be favourable than PAC therapy though not statistically significant, with no references to efficacy and potency of these regimens in the treatment of breast cancer patients with or without metastasis.

References

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Martín M, Lluch A, Seguí MA, Ruiz A, Ramos M, Adrover E, et al. Toxicity and health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (TAC) or 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC): impact of adding primary prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to the TAC regimen. Ann Oncol. 2006;17(8):1205-12.

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Published

2017-01-05

How to Cite

Rani, G., Celia, D., Ramya, E., & Balasubramanium, M. (2017). A comparative study of adverse reactions of taxol and non taxol based chemotherapy regimens in breast cancer. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 5(4), 1660–1663. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20162489

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Original Research Articles