I have noticed that it is said of Cabazitaxel that it "breaks the blood brain barrier". Docetaxel scrambled my brain effectively but does not "break the blood brain barrier".
Is this a cause for concern?
All best,
Baltha
I have noticed that it is said of Cabazitaxel that it "breaks the blood brain barrier". Docetaxel scrambled my brain effectively but does not "break the blood brain barrier".
Is this a cause for concern?
All best,
Baltha
The blood/brain barrier is a protective biochemical filter. Cabazitaxel breaks through that barrier, so it can treat cancer that has progressed to the brain (which is rare for prostate cancer). The chemo brain one experiences are due to toxic substances and cytokines that are released elsewhere in the body during chemotherapy, not necessarily a direct result of the drug on the brain.
If you don’t have cancer in the brain to be treated I would stay away from anything that could break through the barrier. Enzalutamide has a very small warning about this effect to a small number of patients. I moved to this treatment after Casodex stopped working. I immediately felt wonderful, full of energy and stamina. After about 2 months I had two little episodes of minor memory loss but after 3 months I had a 5 hour memory loss. Initially it was thought to be dehydration after an exertive 5km walk in 42 mins. Ct scans and an mri showed nothing. My oncologist immediately switched me to Aberiterone and Prednisolone. 30 months later they are still working and I have no side effects. At 80 years of age I am happy with my life.