Taxotere as second-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Introduction. - Due its palliative effects, chemotherapy for breast cancer has two main objectives: disease control for as long as possible and optimal quality of life. Standard first-line treatment includes currently combination regimens with anthracyclines. What is the impact of docetaxel (Taxotere(R)) now available for treatment in case of failure of anthracycline-based regimens? Current knowledge and key points. - Preliminary results of randomized phase III trials suggest higher levels of efficacy with docetaxel than those observed with other drugs used so far. Docetaxel toxicity is moderate. Its main side-effects are neutropenia and alopecia. The incidence of the peculiar docetaxel-related fluid retention syndrom has been shown to be delayed by prophylactic corticotherapy. Future prospects and projects. - Further studies are required to assess the impact of docetaxel in combination regimens as well as for the overall management of breast cancer. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.