Maximum Tolerated Dose and Pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel Micellar in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Solid Tumours: A Dose-Escalation Study

IntroductionA water-soluble CremophorEL-free formulation of paclitaxel, in which retinoic acid derivates solubilize paclitaxel by forming micelles (paclitaxel micellar), was studied for the first time in man to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK).MethodsThis was an open-label, one-arm, dose-escalating study in patients with advanced solid malignant tumours, for which no standard therapy was available or had failed. Paclitaxel micellar was given as 1-h intravenous infusion every 21days for 3 cycles, mainly without premedication. Plasma samples were collected during 24h at the first cycle and paclitaxel concentrations were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. PK was evaluated using a two-compartment model.ResultsThirty-four patients received paclitaxel micellar at doses ranging between 90 and 275mg/m(2). MTD was established as 250mg/m(2). Fatigue and neuropathy were the most frequent dose-limiting toxicities. No hypersensitivity reactions were observed. PK of paclitaxel was evaluated in 25 data sets. Paclitaxel micellar had a rapid initial distribution phase, mean half-life 0.55h, estimated to be completed 3h after dosing and a mean terminal half-life of 8.8h. Mean clearance was 13.4L/h/m(2) with fivefold interindividual variability. The residual areas after 10h and 24h were 15.78.6% and 5.73.9% of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve to infinite time (AUC(inf)), respectively.ConclusionNo new side effects unknown for paclitaxel were observed. Maximum plasma concentration (C-max) and AUC(inf) showed a tendency to increase linearly with dose within the 150-275mg/m(2) dose range. The possibility to administer paclitaxel micellar without steroid premedication makes it an attractive candidate for further studies in combination with immunotherapy.