Comparison of Tolerability Between 2-Weekly and 3-Weekly Docetaxel Regimen in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background: The tolerability of 2-weekly docetaxel at 25-35 mg/m2 for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate its tolerability compared to 3-weekly docetaxel at 60-75 mg/m2 in patients with CRPC.

Methods: In this retrospective study, data were compared with respect to efficacy and safety between 2-weekly and 3-weekly docetaxel regimens in patients with CRPC.

Results: Time to treatment failure and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate did not differ significantly between the two regimens. Compared to 3-weekly administration, incidence of severe leukopenia and febrile neutropenia was significantly lower (p<0.05), and relative dose intensity was significantly higher (p<0.05) for the 2-weekly schedule. Docetaxel dosage and PSA response were identified as independent risk factors for severe leukopenia.

Conclusions: Two-weekly treatment seems better tolerated than three-weekly treatment in Japanese patients with CRPC.