A trial looking at Taxoprexin (DHA-paclitaxel) for advanced breast cancer

Cancer type:

Breast cancer

Status:

Results

Phase:

Phase 2

This trial was looking at a drug called Taxoprexin for breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body (secondary breast cancer).

Doctors often use chemotherapy to treat breast cancer that has spread. In this trial, they were looking at a new drug called Taxoprexin. It is made up of a taxane Open a glossary item chemotherapy drug called paclitaxel, and a natural fatty acid called DHA. Cancer cells collect fatty acids, including DHA. So the researchers hoped that this would help more of the paclitaxel to get into the cancer cells and kill them.

The aims of the trial were to find out

  • How well Taxoprexin worked for secondary breast cancer
  • What the side effects were

Summary of results

The researchers presented the results of the trial at a large cancer conference in 2003. They found that Taxoprexin worked about as well as other taxane drugs.

  • The trial recruited 38 women with advanced breast cancer
  • In 7 of the women, the cancer got smaller – researchers call this a partial response Open a glossary item
  • In 13 women, the cancer stayed the same size – researchers call this stable disease Open a glossary item
  • In 17 women, the cancer continued to grow
  • They did not have results for one person

The main side effect was a drop in the number of blood cells, causing an increased risk of infection and bruising or bleeding problems.

We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed Open a glossary item) but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Prof Stephen Johnston

Supported by

Theradex

If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

Oracle 40

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Deborah wanted to help other breast cancer patients in the future

A picture of Deborah

“Deborah agreed to take part in a trial as she was keen to help other cancer patients in the future. "If taking part in a trial means others might be helped then I’m very happy with that."

Last reviewed:

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