Objective: A retrospective comparison of the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and paclitaxel in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was conducted based on our institution's experience since 1992.
Methods: Two groups of 43 patients who received a similar chemotherapy regimen containing either docetaxel or paclitaxel were matched for the number of prior treatments.
Results: Toxicity was mild in both groups. Tumour growth control, defined as either objective response or stable disease for at least 6 months, was obtained in a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with docetaxel compared with paclitaxel (67 % vs. 44 %, p = 0.001). Moreover, fewer patients progressed during treatment with docetaxel (28 % vs. 53 %, p < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 17 months there was no significant difference between the groups in median progression-free survival (7 vs. 5 months, p = 0.123) or median overall survival (OS) (12 vs. 11 months, p = 0.211). According to the method of Kaplan and Meier estimated OS rates at 1 year (74 % vs. 62 %) and 2 years (50 % vs. 26 %), however, were in favour of docetaxel. In a multivariate analysis only a positive hormone receptor status was significantly associated with improved OS.
Conclusion: These results suggest that docetaxel may be superior to paclitaxel in the treatment of MBC.