CABAZITAXEL
Background and Date of Approval
Cabazitaxel is an anti-cancer drug that belongs to the category of medicines known as alkylating agents. It was approved by the U.S.U.S. FDAFDA in June 2010 to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Uses
Cabazitaxel is a cytotoxic agent used with steroid medicine prednisone or prednisolone to treat people with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer that has progressed after treatment with other anticancer medications, including docetaxel.
How is it administered?
The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. The recommended dose for cabazitaxel is 25mg, administered as an intravenous infusion over one hour every three weeks, in combination with oral prednisone (10 mg daily). The dose can be adjusted based on individual patient factors, such as age, body weight, and other medical conditions.
Side Effects
The common side effects of Cabazitaxel are constipation, back pain, decreased appetite, hair loss, headache and inflammation of mouth. Other serious side effects include kidney damage and severe stomach pain. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms.
Warnings
Its major toxicities include myelosuppression, neurotoxicity, and allergic reactions. Neutropenia is the most common adverse reaction of cabazitaxel. Monitoring of complete blood counts is essential on a weekly basis during cycle 1 and before each treatment cycle thereafter so that the dose can be adjusted, if needed. Vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine should be avoided in patients receiving cabazitaxel, instead killed or inactivated vaccines can be administered.
Precautions
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Cabazitaxel could be present in your semen and may affect the foetus. You are advised not to father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment. Inform your physician if you have any liver disease, lung disease, blood/bleeding problems, or infection and about all the other prescribed, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal medications you take. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Word of Advice
Drink at least two litres of fluids every day when you are having diarrhoea. Avoid milk, dairy products, high-fibre food or spicy food while you are having diarrhoea. Rinsing your mouth with an alcohol-free mouth gargle or salt water may help reduce the chances of infections like mouth ulcers. Risk of infection can occur as this drug can reduce the WBC count in your blood, so it is advised to avoid crowds and people who are sick and wash your hands after toileting. You must not become pregnant during treatment and must use an effective method of contraception. If pregnancy occurs during your treatment, you must inform your doctor immediately. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. If you are addicted to alcohol or have liver disease or epilepsy, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
References
Annex I summary of Product Characteristics - European Medicines Agency. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/jevtana-epar-product-information_en.pdf [ Accessed on 29th March 2023] Package leaflet: Information for the user. www.hpra.ie. http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/5a5602f0-c957-440b-b07b-fc5ca51d21ca.pdf [ Accessed on 29th March 2023] Bertram.G.Katzung, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy, 14th edition, 2017, 963.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is prednisone given with Cabazitaxel ?
This drug is designed to kill cancer cells by decreasing their ability to divide into more cells. Prednisone is taken with Cabazitaxel as part of the chemotherapy regimen to possibly slow the growth of cancer cells and reduce side effects from chemotherapy.
How does Cabazitaxel work?
This drug shrinks tumors by attacking rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, so they can no longer grow and divide.
Who should not use Cabazitaxel ?
This drug is not indicated for children and adolescents under the age of 18. It should not be used in people who are allergic to this drug, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Is it safe for women of reproductive potential to use Cabazitaxel ?
Cabazitaxel are not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider before starting this treatment if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby.
What should I avoid while taking Cabazitaxel ?
It is advised to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as it may increase the concentration of drugs in your blood, leading to a higher risk of side effects.