Comparing adverse effects of docetaxel-doxorubicin and paclitaxel-doxorubicin regimens in breast cancer patients

Introduction: Taxanes have emerged as one of the most active agents in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. Nevertheless, questions remain with regard to their toxicity profiles. This study aimed to compare prevalence and severity of adverse effects of two chemotherapy regimens including taxanes (docetaxel or paclitaxel) in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with non-methastatic breast cancer who had received docetaxel-doxorubicin or paclitaxel-doxorubicin regimens included in the study. Adverse drug reactions were recorded from patients' files and graded according to common toxicity criteria. The prevalence and severity of the reactions were compared between two groups of the patients. Results: The prevalence of adverse drug reactions was higher in the patients who received docetaxel-doxorubicin compared to the patients with paclitaxel-doxorubicin regimen (%62.01 vs %37.98). In this account, the patients in docetaxel-doxorubicin group experienced more frequent adverse drug reactions in skin, musculo-skeletal, and blood systems (P<0.05).  However, central nervous system reactions were significantly higher in paclitaxel-doxorubicin group (P<0.05). Severity of adverse drug reactions related to blood system was significantly greater in patients with docetaxel-doxorubicin regimen (p<0.01). Conclusion: Paclitaxel-doxorubicin had fewer adverse effects in comparision with docetaxel-doxorubicin in breast cancer patients. However, patients who are more vulnerable to central nervous system reactions are better candidates for docetaxel-doxorubicin regimen.