Incidence and Risk Factors for Paclitaxel Hypersensitivity in Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reaction (HR) is still a major concern during cancer chemotherapy with paclitaxel. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with hypersensitivity reactions among cancer patients undergoing paclitaxel monotherapy at the National Cancer Institute, during the period June to December 2016. A retrospective study was performed involving a total of 200 patients (198 female;2 male) treated with paclitaxel monotherapy. The results showed that 35 patients (20.20%) experienced paclitaxel hypersensitivity reaction, with most of severity grades 1-2. Common symptoms were hot flush (68.57%), chest pain (65.71%), high blood pressure (37.14%), back pain or arthralgia (20.00%) and rash (2.86%). Hypersensitivity has been found among patients from their first paclitaxel administration, and repeated every chemotherapy cycle. In this study, the factors significantly associated with paclitaxel hypersensitivity reaction were patient’s age and chemotherapy cycle. The findings showed that the occurrence of hypersensitivity increased among elder patients (P=0.049) and patients who underwent early chemotherapy cycles (P<0.01). Our findings revealed that paclitaxel hypersensitivity was prevalent among patients during chemotherapy. Therefore, the healthcare team should give patients appropriate advice about the drug and basic observation as well as close monitoring during administration. From a policy perspective, hypersensitivity-reaction guidelines and systematic reporting of adverse drug reaction events during chemotherapy should be established for better prevention