About Docefrez
Docetaxel is a drug that is used primarily for treating breast cancer. Docetaxel works by attacking cancer cells. Every cell in the body contains a supporting structure (almost like a skeleton) called the microtubular network. If this "skeleton" is changed or damaged, the cell can't grow or reproduce. Docetaxel makes the "skeleton" in cancer cells unnaturally stiff, so that these cells can no longer grow.
Docetaxel(Docefrez) is of the chemotherapy drug class; taxane, and is a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel (Taxol), an extract from the bark of the rare Pacific yew tree Taxus brevifolia. Due to scarcity of paclitaxel, extensive research was carried out leading to the formulation of docetaxel - an esterified product of 10-deacetyl baccatin III, which is extracted from the renewable and readily available European yew tree.
Docetaxel differs from paclitaxel at two positions in its chemical structure. It has a hydroxyl functional group on carbon 10, whereas paclitaxel has an acetate ester, and a tert-butyl carbamate ester exists on the phenylpropionate side chain instead of the benzyl amide in paclitaxel. The carbon 10 functional group change causes docetaxel to be more water soluble than paclitaxel.
Docetaxel is used for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy; second-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy; prostate cancer; gastric adenocarcinoma; and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Docetaxel is given intravenously. Doses range from 60 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Dexamethasone also is administered prior to docetaxel to reduce the severity of fluid retention and occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions.
Docetaxel concentrate should be stored between 2 and 25 C (36 to 77 F), and the powder should be stored between 2 and 8 C (36 F and 46 F). They should be retained in their original package to protect them from light.
Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent and is a cytotoxic compound and so is effectively a biologically damaging drug. As with all chemotherapy, adverse effects are common and many varying side-effects have been documented. Because docetaxel is a cell cycle specific agent, it is cytotoxic to all dividing cells in the body. This includes tumour cells as well as hair follicles, bone marrow and other germ cells. For this reason, common chemotherapy side effects such as alopecia occur; sometimes this can be permanent.
Docetaxel has caused severe (rarely fatal) allergic reactions and swelling (fluid retention/edema) even with the use of preventive medications. This drug must not be used in patients who have previously had an allergic reaction to it or to other medications containing polysorbate 80.
There is an increased risk of serious (possibly fatal) reactions in patients using docetaxel who have liver problems, patients receiving higher doses, and patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have received certain other chemotherapy drugs known as "platinums."
If you have a low white blood cell count or liver problems, notify your doctor before using docetaxel.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Some chemical properties about Docetaxel:[http://www.guidechem.com/cas-114/114977-28-5.html]
By Meimei
Docetaxel(Docefrez) is of the chemotherapy drug class; taxane, and is a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel (Taxol), an extract from the bark of the rare Pacific yew tree Taxus brevifolia. Due to scarcity of paclitaxel, extensive research was carried out leading to the formulation of docetaxel - an esterified product of 10-deacetyl baccatin III, which is extracted from the renewable and readily available European yew tree.
Docetaxel differs from paclitaxel at two positions in its chemical structure. It has a hydroxyl functional group on carbon 10, whereas paclitaxel has an acetate ester, and a tert-butyl carbamate ester exists on the phenylpropionate side chain instead of the benzyl amide in paclitaxel. The carbon 10 functional group change causes docetaxel to be more water soluble than paclitaxel.
Docetaxel is used for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy; second-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy; prostate cancer; gastric adenocarcinoma; and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Docetaxel is given intravenously. Doses range from 60 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Dexamethasone also is administered prior to docetaxel to reduce the severity of fluid retention and occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions.
Docetaxel concentrate should be stored between 2 and 25 C (36 to 77 F), and the powder should be stored between 2 and 8 C (36 F and 46 F). They should be retained in their original package to protect them from light.
Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent and is a cytotoxic compound and so is effectively a biologically damaging drug. As with all chemotherapy, adverse effects are common and many varying side-effects have been documented. Because docetaxel is a cell cycle specific agent, it is cytotoxic to all dividing cells in the body. This includes tumour cells as well as hair follicles, bone marrow and other germ cells. For this reason, common chemotherapy side effects such as alopecia occur; sometimes this can be permanent.
Docetaxel has caused severe (rarely fatal) allergic reactions and swelling (fluid retention/edema) even with the use of preventive medications. This drug must not be used in patients who have previously had an allergic reaction to it or to other medications containing polysorbate 80.
There is an increased risk of serious (possibly fatal) reactions in patients using docetaxel who have liver problems, patients receiving higher doses, and patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have received certain other chemotherapy drugs known as "platinums."
If you have a low white blood cell count or liver problems, notify your doctor before using docetaxel.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Some chemical properties about Docetaxel:[http://www.guidechem.com/cas-114/114977-28-5.html]
By Meimei
