MO recommends decreased Docetaxel dose

[Jdhanoa]

Hi all,

We had our first appointment with my dads MO after his first chemo session. His MO is decreasing his Docetaxel dose to 75%. His first session did land him in the hospital with possible injection and neutropenia.

Just wondering if this is common with Docetaxel? Does the 75% dose mean that chemo won’t be as effective?

Thank you

[Tall_Allen]

Of course not - that's why they give a full dose. But if he can't take it, what choice does he have?

[Chask]

Happened to me. First 2 full doses landed me in hospital with Sepsis and Neutropenia. Cut dose to 75% and added Neulasta. Docetaxel failed after 3 further treatments at that level. Having now also failed Lutetium (4 rounds) I am about to try Cabitaxel.

[Seasid]

They said to me if I will not tolerate the full dose that they will reduce a dose and administer it weekly.

[JGalt]

there is also a shortage of the drug right now. That may factor in.

[timotur]

Here's a good paper, although dated, about dose-response curves and the issues of under-dosing and over-dosing chemo.

To calculate dose accurately drug elimination needs to be understood. Typically there is a 4–10-fold variation in cytotoxic drug clearance between individuals due to differing activity of drug elimination processes related to genetic and environmental factors

nature.com/articles/6600139

Here is an online dose calculator to play around with based on "body-surface area"--

reference.medscape.com/calc...