Breast cancer
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with:
• operable node-positive breast cancer
• operable node-negative breast cancer.

For patients with operable node-negative breast cancer, adjuvant treatment should be restricted to patients eligible to receive chemotherapy according to internationally established criteria for primary therapy of early breast cancer (see section 5.1).
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously received cytotoxic therapy for this condition.
Docetaxel Accord monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic therapy. Previous chemotherapy should have included an Anthracycline or an alkylating agent.
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Trastuzumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours over express HER2 and who previously have not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Capecitabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Previous therapy should have included an Anthracycline.

Non small cell lung cancer
Docetaxel Accord is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non small cell lung cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy.
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non small cell lung cancer, in patients who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.
Prostate cancer
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Prednisone or Prednisolone is indicated for the treatment of patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
Gastric adenocarcinoma
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
Head and neck cancer
Docetaxel Accord in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

 

The use of Docetaxel should be confined to units specialized in the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy and it should only be administered under the supervision of a physician qualified in the use of anticancer chemotherapy (see section 6.6).
Recommended dose
For breast, non small cell lung, gastric, and head and neck cancers, premedication consisting of an oral corticosteroid, such as Dexamethasone 16mg per day (e.g. 8mg twice daily) for 3 days starting 1 day prior to Docetaxel administration, unless contraindicated, can be used (see section 4.4). Prophylactic G-CSF may be used to mitigate the risk of haematological toxicities.
For prostate cancer, given the concurrent use of Prednisone or Prednisolone the recommended premedication regimen is oral Dexamethasone 8mg, 12 hours, 3 hours and 1-hour before the Docetaxel
infusion (see section 4.4).
Docetaxel is administered as a one-hour infusion every three weeks.

Breast cancer
In the adjuvant treatment of operable node-positive and node-negative breast cancer, the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 administered 1-hour after Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (TAC regimen) (see also Dose adjustments during treatment). For the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 100mg/m2 in monotherapy. In first-line treatment, Docetaxel 75mg/m2 is given in combination therapy with Doxorubicin (50mg/m2).
In combination with Trastuzumab the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 100mg/m2 every three weeks, with Trastuzumab administered weekly. In the pivotal study the initial Docetaxel infusion was started the day following the first dose of Trastuzumab. The subsequent Docetaxel doses were administered immediately after completion of the Trastuzumab infusion, if the preceding dose of Trastuzumab was well tolerated. For Trastuzumab dose and administration, see Trastuzumab summary of product characteristics.
In combination with Capecitabine, the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 every three weeks, combined with Capecitabine at 1250mg/m2 twice daily (within 30 minutes after a meal) for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period. For Capecitabine dose calculation according to body surface area, see Capecitabine summary of product characteristics.
Non small cell lung cancer
In chemotherapy naïve patients treated for non small cell lung cancer, the recommended dose regimen is Docetaxel 75mg/m2 immediately followed by Cisplatin 75mg/m2 over 30-60 minutes. For treatment after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy, the recommended dose is 75mg/m2 as a single agent.
Prostate cancer
The recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2. Prednisone or Prednisolone 5mg orally twice daily is administered continuously (see section 5.1).

Gastric adenocarcinoma
The recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion, followed by Cisplatin 75mg/m2, as a 1- to 3-hour infusion (both on day 1 only), followed by 5-Fluorouracil 750mg/m2 per day given as a 24-hour continuous infusion for 5 days, starting at the end of the Cisplatin infusion. Treatment is repeated every three weeks. Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics and appropriate hydration for Cisplatin administration. Prophylactic G-CSF should be used to mitigate the risk of haematological toxicities (see also Dose adjustments during treatment).
Head and neck cancer
Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics and appropriate hydration (prior to and after Cisplatin administration). Prophylactic G-CSF may be used to mitigate the risk of haematological toxicities. All patients on the Docetaxel-containing arm of the TAX 323 and TAX 324 studies, received prophylactic antibiotics.
• Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (TAX 323)
For the induction treatment of inoperable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion followed by Cisplatin 75mg/m2 over 1-hour, on day one, followed by 5-Fluorouracil as a continuous infusion at 750mg/m2 per day for five days. This regimen is administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients should receive radiotherapy.
• Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy TAX 324)
For the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced (technically unresectable, low probability of surgical cure, and aiming at organ preservation) squamous cell carcinoma of the head

and neck (SCCHN), the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by Cisplatin 100mg/m2 administered as a 30-minute to 3-hour infusion, followed by 5-Fluorouracil 1000mg/m2/day as a continuous infusion from day 1 to day 4. This regimen is administered every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients should receive chemoradiotherapy.
For Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil dose modifications, see the corresponding summary of product characteristics.
Dose adjustments during treatment
General
Docetaxel should be administered when the neutrophil count is ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3. In patients who experienced either febrile neutropenia, neutrophil count < 500 cells/mm3 for more than one week, severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions or severe peripheral neuropathy during Docetaxel therapy, the dose of Docetaxel should be reduced from 100mg/m2 to 75mg/m2 and/or from 75 to 60mg/m2. If the patient continues to experience these reactions at 60mg/m2, the treatment should be discontinued
Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer
Primary G-CSF prophylaxis should be considered in patients who receive Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (TAC) adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Patients who experience febrile neutropenia and/or neutropenic infection should have their Docetaxel dose reduced to 60mg/m2 in all subsequent cycles (see sections 4.4 and 4.8). Patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 stomatitis should have their dose decreased to 60mg/m2.
In combination with Cisplatin
For patients who are dosed initially at Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin and whose nadir of platelet count during the previous course of therapy is < 25,000 cells/mm3, or in patients who experience febrile neutropenia, or in patients with serious non-haematologic toxicities, the Docetaxel dose in subsequent cycles should be reduced to 65mg/m2. For Cisplatin dose adjustments, see the corresponding summary of product characteristics. Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU):

Toxicity	Dose adjustment
Diarrhoea grade 3	First episode: reduce 5-FU dose by 20%. Second episode: then reduce Docetaxel dose by 20%.
Diarrhoea grade 4	First episode: reduce Docetaxel and 5-FU doses by 20%. Second episode: discontinue treatment.
Stomatitis/mucositis grade 3	First episode: reduce 5-FU dose by 20%. Second episode: stop 5-FU only, at all subsequent cycles. Third episode: reduce Docetaxel dose by 20%.
Stomatitis/mucositis grade 4	First episode: stop 5-FU only, at all subsequent cycles. Second episode: reduce Docetaxel dose by 20%.

For Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil dose adjustments, see the corresponding summary of product characteristics.
In the pivotal SCCHN studies patients who experienced complicated neutropenia (including prolonged neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or infection), it was recommended to use G-CSF to provide prophylactic coverage (eg, day 6-15) in all subsequent cycles.
Special populations
Patients with hepatic impairment
Based on pharmacokinetic data with Docetaxel at 100mg/m2 as single agent, patients who have both elevations of transaminase (ALT and/or AST) greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range (ULN) and Alkaline Phosphatase greater than 2.5 times the ULN, the recommended dose of Docetaxel is 75mg/m2 (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). For those patients with serum bilirubin > ULN and/or ALT and AST > 3.5 times the ULN associated with Alkaline Phosphatase > 6 times the ULN, no dose-reduction can be recommended and Docetaxel should not be used unless strictly indicated.
In combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for the treatment of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, the pivotal clinical study excluded patients with ALT and/or AST > 1.5 × ULN associated with Alkaline Phosphatase > 2.5 × ULN, and Bilirubin > 1 x ULN; for these patients, no dose-reductions
can be recommended and Docetaxel should not be used unless strictly indicated. No data are available in patients with hepatic impairment treated by Docetaxel in combination in the other indications.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Docetaxel in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children aged 1 month to less than 18 years have not yet been established.
There is no relevant use of Docetaxel in the paediatric population in the indications breast cancer, non small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gastric carcinoma and head and neck cancer, not including type II and III less differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Older people
Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, there are no special instructions for use in the older people. In combination with Capecitabine, for patients 60 years of age or more, a starting dose reduction of Capecitabine to 75% is recommended (see Capecitabine summary of product characteristics).

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Docetaxel must not be used in patients with baseline neutrophil count of < 1,500 cells/mm3. Docetaxel must not be used in patients with severe liver impairment since there is no data available (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). Contraindications for other medicinal products also apply, when combined with Docetaxel.

For breast and non small cell lung cancers, premedication consisting of an oral corticosteroid, such as Dexamethasone 16mg per day (e.g. 8mg twice daily) for 3 days starting 1 day prior to Docetaxel administration, unless contraindicated, can reduce the incidence and severity of fluid retention as well as the severity of hypersensitivity reactions. For prostate cancer, the premedication is oral Dexamethasone 8mg, 12 hours, 3 hours and 1-hour before the Docetaxel infusion (see section 4.2).

Haematology
Neutropenia is the most frequent adverse reaction of Docetaxel. Neutrophil nadirs occurred at a median of 7 days but this interval may be shorter in heavily pre-treated patients. Frequent monitoring of complete blood counts should be conducted on all patients receiving Docetaxel. Patients should be retreated with Docetaxel when neutrophils recover to a level ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3 (see section 4.2)
In the case of severe neutropenia (< 500 cells/mm3 for seven days or more) during a course of Docetaxel therapy, a reduction in dose for subsequent courses of therapy or the use of appropriate symptomatic measures are recommended (see section 4.2).
In patients treated with Docetaxel in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (TCF), febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection occurred at lower rates when patients received prophylactic G-CSF. Patients treated with TCF should receive prophylactic G-CSF to mitigate the risk of complicated neutropenia (febrile neutropenia, prolonged neutropenia or neutropenic infection). Patients receiving TCF should be closely monitored (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
In patients treated with Docetaxel in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (TAC), febrile neutropenia and/or neutropenic infection occurred at lower rates when patients received primary G-CSF prophylaxis. Primary G-CSF prophylaxis should be considered in patients who receive adjuvant therapy with TAC for breast cancer to mitigate the risk of complicated neutropenia (febrile neutropenia, prolonged neutropenia or neutropenic infection). Patients receiving TAC should be closely monitored (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).

Gastrointestinal reactions
Caution is recommended for patients with neutropenia, particularly at risk for developing gastrointestinal complications. Although majority of cases occurred during the first or second cycle of Docetaxel containing regimen, enterocolitis could develop at any time, and could lead to death as early as on the first day of onset. Patients should be closely monitored for early manifestations of serious gastrointestinal toxicity (see sections 4.2, 4.4 Haematology, and 4.8).

Hypersensitivity reactions
Patients should be observed closely for hypersensitivity reactions especially during the first and second
infusions. Hypersensitivity reactions may occur within a few minutes following the initiation of the infusion of Docetaxel, thus facilities for the treatment of hypotension and bronchospasm should be available. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, minor symptoms such as flushing or localized cutaneous reactions do not require interruption of therapy. However, severe reactions, such as severe hypotension, bronchospasm or generalized rash/erythema require immediate discontinuation of Docetaxel and appropriate therapy. Patients who have developed severe hypersensitivity reactions should not be re-challenged with Docetaxel.
Cutaneous reactions
Localized skin erythema of the extremities (palms of the hands and soles of the feet) with oedema followed by desquamation has been observed. Severe symptoms such as eruptions followed by desquamation which lead to interruption or discontinuation of Docetaxel treatment were reported (see section 4.2).
Fluid retention
Patients with severe fluid retention such as pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and ascites should be monitored closely.
Respiratory disorders
Acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial pneumonia/pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis and respiratory failure have been reported and may be associated with fatal outcome. Cases of radiation pneumonitis have been reported in patients receiving concomitant radiotherapy.
If new or worsening pulmonary symptoms develop, patients should be closely monitored, promptly investigated, and appropriately treated. Interruption of Docetaxel therapy is recommended until diagnosis is available. Early use of supportive care measures may help improve the condition. The benefit of resuming Docetaxel treatment must be carefully evaluated.

Patients with liver impairment
In patients treated with Docetaxel at 100mg/m2 as single agent who have serum Transaminase levels (ALT and/or AST) greater than 1.5 times the ULN concurrent with serum Alkaline Phosphatase levels greater than 2.5 times the ULN, there is a higher risk of developing severe adverse reactions such as toxic deaths including sepsis and gastrointestinal haemorrhage which can be fatal, febrile neutropenia, infections, thrombocytopenia, stomatitis and asthenia. Therefore, the recommended dose of Docetaxel in those patients with elevated liver function test (LFTs) is 75mg/m2 and LFTs should be measured at baseline and before each cycle (see section 4.2).
For patients with serum bilirubin levels > ULN and/or ALT and AST > 3.5 times the ULN concurrent with serum Alkaline Phosphatase levels > 6 times the ULN, no dose-reduction can be recommended and Docetaxel should not be used unless strictly indicated.
In combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for the treatment of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, the pivotal clinical study excluded patients with ALT and/or AST > 1.5 × ULN associated with Alkaline Phosphatase > 2.5 × ULN, and Bilirubin > 1 x ULN; for these patients, no dose-reductions can be recommended and Docetaxel should not be used unless strictly indicated. No data are available in patients with hepatic impairment treated by Docetaxel in combination in the other indications.

Patients with renal impairment
There are no data available in patients with severely impaired renal function treated with Docetaxel.
Nervous system
The development of severe peripheral neurotoxicity requires a reduction of dose (see section 4.2).
Cardiac toxicity
Heart failure has been observed in patients receiving Docetaxel in combination with Trastuzumab, particularly following Anthracycline (Doxorubicin or Epirubicin) -containing chemotherapy. This may be moderate to severe and has been associated with death (see section 4.8).
When patients are candidates for treatment with Docetaxel in combination with Trastuzumab, they should undergo baseline cardiac assessment. Cardiac function should be further monitored during treatment (e.g. every three months) to help identify patients who may develop cardiac dysfunction. For more details see summary of product characteristics of Trastuzumab.
Ventricular arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia (sometimes fatal) has been reported in patients treated with docetaxel in combination regimens including Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil and/ or Cyclophosphamide (see Section 4.8).
Baseline cardiac assessment is recommended.
Eye disorders
Cystoid macular oedema (CMO) has been reported in patients treated with Docetaxel. Patients with impaired vision should undergo a prompt and complete ophthalmologic examination. In case CMO is diagnosed, Docetaxel treatment should be discontinued and appropriate treatment initiated (see section 4.8).
Others
Contraceptive measures must be taken by both men and women during treatment and for men at least 6 months after cessation of therapy (see section 4.6).
The concomitant use of Docetaxel with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Clarithromycin, Indinavir, Nefazodone, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Telithromycin and Voriconazole) should be avoided (see section 4.5).

Additional cautions for use in adjuvant treatment of breast cancer
Complicated neutropenia
For patients who experience complicated neutropenia (prolonged neutropenia, febrile neutropenia or infection), G-CSF and dose reduction should be considered (see section 4.2).
Gastrointestinal reactions
Symptoms such as early abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, diarrhoea, with or without neutropenia, may be early manifestations of serious gastrointestinal toxicity and should be evaluated and treated promptly.
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Patients should be monitored for symptoms of congestive heart failure during therapy and during the follow up period. In patients treated with the TAC regimen for node-positive breast cancer, the risk of CHF has been shown to be higher during the first year after treatment (see sections 4.8 and 5.1).
Leukaemia
In the Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (TAC) treated patients, the risk of delayed myelodysplasia or myeloid leukaemia requires haematological follow up.
Patients with 4+ nodes
As the benefit observed in patient with 4+ nodes was not statistically significant on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), the positive benefit/risk ratio for TAC in patients with 4+ nodes was not fully demonstrated at the final analysis (see section 5.1).
Older people
There are limited data available in patients > 70 years of age on Docetaxel use in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide.
Of the 333 patients treated with Docetaxel every three weeks in a prostate cancer study, 209 patients were 65 years of age or greater and 68 patients were older than 75 years. In patients treated with Docetaxel every three weeks, the incidence of related nail changes occurred at a rate ≥ 10% higher in patients who were 65 years of age or greater compared to younger patients. The incidence of related fever, diarrhoea, anorexia, and peripheral oedema occurred at rates ≥ 10% higher in patients who were 75 years of age or greater versus less than 65 years.
Among the 300 (221 patients in the phase III part of the study and 79 patients in the phase II part) patients treated with Docetaxel in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in the gastric cancer study, 74 were 65 years of age or older and 4 patients were 75 years of age or older. The incidence of serious adverse events was higher in older people compared to younger patients. The incidence of the following adverse events (all grades): lethargy, stomatitis, neutropenic infection occurred at rates ≥ 10% higher in patients who were 65 years of age or older compared to younger patients. Older people treated with TCF should be closely monitored.
Excipients
This medicinal product contains 50 vol% ethanol (alcohol), i.e. up to 1.58g (2ml) per vial, equivalent to 40ml of beer or 17ml wine per vial.
Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism.
To be taken into account in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and high-risk groups such as patients with liver disease, or epilepsy.
The amount of alcohol in this medicinal product may alter the effects of other medicinal products.
The amount of alcohol in this medicinal product may impair the patients ability to drive or use machines.

 

In vitro studies have shown that the metabolism of Docetaxel may be modified by the concomitant administration of compounds which induce, inhibit or are metabolized by (and thus may inhibit the enzyme competitively) Cytochrome P450-3A such as Ciclosporine, Terfenadine, Ketoconazole, Erythromycin and Troleandomycin. As a result, caution should be exercised when treating patients with these medicinal products as concomitant therapy since there is a potential for a significant interaction.
In case of combination with CYP3A4 inhibitors, the occurrence of Docetaxel adverse reactions may increase, as a result of reduced metabolism. If the concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Clarithromycin, Indinavir, Nefazodone, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Telithromycin and Voriconazole) cannot be avoided, a close clinical surveillance is warranted and a dose-adjustment of Docetaxel may be suitable during the treatment with the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (see section 4.4). In a pharmacokinetic study with 7 patients, the coadministration of Docetaxel with the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor Ketoconazole leads to a significant decrease in Docetaxel clearance by 49%.
Docetaxel is highly protein-bound (> 95%). Although the possible in vivo interaction of Docetaxel with concomitantly administered medicinal product has not been investigated formally, in vitro interactions with tightly protein-bound agents such as Erythromycin, Diphenhydramine, Propranolol, Propafenone, Phenytoin, Salicylate, Sulfamethoxazole and Sodium Valproate did not affect protein binding of Docetaxel. In addition, Dexamethasone did not affect protein binding of Docetaxel. Docetaxel did not influence the binding of Digitoxin.
The pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide were not influenced by their coadministration. Limited data from a single uncontrolled study were suggestive of an interaction between Docetaxel and Carboplatin. When combined to Docetaxel, the clearance of Carboplatin was about 50% higher than values previously reported for Carboplatin monotherapy.
Docetaxel pharmacokinetics in the presence of Prednisone was studied in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Docetaxel is metabolised by CYP3A4 and Prednisone is known to induce CYP3A4. No statistically significant effect of Prednisone on the pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel was observed.

Clinical cases consistent with an increase in Docetaxel toxicity were reported when it was combined with Ritonavir. The mechanism behind this interaction is a CYP3A4 inhibition, the main isoenzyme involved in Docetaxel metabolism by Ritonavir. Based on extrapolation from a pharmacokinetic study with Ketoconazole in 7 patients, consider a 50% Docetaxel dose reduction if patients require coadministration of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor such as azole antifungals, Ritonavir and some macrolides (Clarithromycin, Telithromycin).

Pregnancy
There is no information on the use of Docetaxel in pregnant women. Docetaxel has been shown to be both embryotoxic and foetotoxic in rabbits and rats, and to reduce fertility in rats. As with other cytotoxic medicinal products, Docetaxel may cause foetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Therefore, Docetaxel must not be used during pregnancy unless clearly indicated.
Women of childbearing age receiving Docetaxel should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant, and to inform the treating physician immediately should this occur.
Breastfeeding
Docetaxel is a lipophilic substance but it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. Consequently, because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, breastfeeding must be discontinued for the duration of Docetaxel therapy.
Contraception in males and females
An effective method of contraception should be used during treatment.
Fertility
In non clinical studies, Docetaxel has genotoxic effects and may alter male fertility (see section 5.3). Therefore, men being treated with Docetaxel are advised not to father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment and to seek advice on conservation of sperm prior to treatment.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. The amount of alcohol in this medicinal product and the side effects of the product may impair the ability to drive or use machines (see sections 4.4 and 4.8). Therefore, patients should be warned of the potential impact of the amount of alcohol and the side effects of this medicinal product on the ability to drive or use machines, and be advised not to drive or use machines if they experience these side effects during treatment.

summery of the safety profile for all indications
The adverse reactions considered to be possibly or probably related to the administration of Docetaxel have been obtained in:
• 1312 and 121 patients who received 100mg/m2 and 75mg/m2 of Docetaxel as a single agent respectively.
• 258 patients who received Docetaxel in combination with Doxorubicin.
• 406 patients who received Docetaxel in combination with Cisplatin.
• 92 patients treated with Docetaxel in combination with Trastuzumab.
• 255 patients who received Docetaxel in combination with Capecitabine.
• 332 patients who received Docetaxel in combination with Prednisone or Prednisolone (clinically important treatment related adverse events are presented).
• 1276 patients (744 and 532 in TAX 316 and GEICAM 9805 respectively) who received Docetaxel in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (clinically important treatment related adverse events are presented).

• 300 gastric adenocarcinoma patients (221 patients in the phase III part of the study and 79 patients in the phase II part) who received Docetaxel in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (clinically important treatment related adverse events are presented).
• 174 and 251 head and neck cancer patients who received Docetaxel in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (clinically important treatment related adverse events are presented).

grade 4 = G4), the COSTART and the MedDRA terms. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from available data).
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions of Docetaxel alone are: neutropenia (which was reversible and not cumulative; the median day to nadir was 7 days and the median duration of severe neutropenia (< 500 cells/mm3) was 7 days), anaemia, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhoea and asthenia. The severity of adverse events of Docetaxel may be increased when Docetaxel is given in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.
For combination with Trastuzumab, adverse events (all grades) reported in ≥ 10% are displayed. There was an increased incidence of SAEs (40% vs. 31%) and Grade 4 AEs (34% vs. 23%) in the Trastuzumab combination arm compared to Docetaxel monotherapy.
For combination with Capecitabine, the most frequent treatment related undesirable effects (≥ 5%) reported in a phase III study in breast cancer patients failing Anthracycline treatment are presented (see Capecitabine summary of product characteristics).
The following adverse reactions are frequently observed with Docetaxel:

Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity reactions have generally occurred within a few minutes following the start of the infusion of Docetaxel and were usually mild to moderate. The most frequently reported symptoms were flushing, rash with or without pruritus, chest tightness, back pain, dyspnoea and fever or chills. Severe reactions were characterised by hypotension and/or bronchospasm or generalized rash/erythema (see section 4.4).

Nervous system disorders
The development of severe peripheral neurotoxicity requires a reduction of dose (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). Mild to moderate neurosensory signs are characterised by paresthesia, dysesthesia or pain including burning. Neuromotor events are mainly characterised by weakness.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Reversible cutaneous reactions have been observed and were generally considered as mild to moderate. Reactions were characterized by a rash including localized eruptions mainly on the feet and hands (including severe hand and foot syndrome), but also on the arms, face or thorax, and frequently associated with pruritus. Eruptions generally occurred within one week after the Docetaxel infusion. Less frequently, severe symptoms such as eruptions followed by desquamation which rarely lead to interruption or discontinuation of Docetaxel treatment were reported (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). Severe nail disorders are characterized by hypo- or hyperpigmentation and sometimes pain and onycholysis.
General disorders and administration site conditions
Infusion site reactions were generally mild and consisted of hyper pigmentation, inflammation, redness or dryness of the skin, phlebitis or extravasation and swelling of the vein.
Fluid retention includes events such as peripheral oedema and less frequently pleural effusion,

pericardial effusion, ascites and weight gain. The peripheral oedema usually starts at the lower extremities and may become generalized with a weight gain of 3 kg or more. Fluid retention is cumulative in incidence and severity (see section 4.4).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 100mg/m2 single agent

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Infections (G3/4: 5.7%; including sepsis and pneumonia, fatal in 1.7%)		Infection associated with G4 neutropenia (G3/4: 4.6%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders		Neutropenia (G4: 76.4%); Anaemia (G3/4: 8.9%); Febrile neutropenia		Thrombocytopenia (G4: 0.2%)
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 5.3%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia
Nervous system disorders			Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3: 4.1%); Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 4%); Dysgeusia (severe: 0.07%)
Cardiac disorders		Arrhythmia (G3/4: 0.7%)		Cardiac failure
Vascular disorders			Hypotension; Hypertension; Haemorrhage
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders			Dyspnoea (severe: 2.7%)
Gastrointestinal disorders	Stomatitis (G3/4: 5.3%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 4%); Nausea (G3/4: 4%); Vomiting (G3/4: 3%)		Constipation (severe: 0.2%); Abdominal pain (severe: 1%); Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (severe: 0.3%)		Oesophagitis (severe: 0.4%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders			Alopecia; Skin reaction (G3/4: 5.9%); Nail disorders (severe: 2.6%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders		Myalgia (severe: 1.4%)		Arthralgia
General disorders and administration site conditions		Fluid retention (severe: 6.5%); Asthenia (severe: 11.2%); Pain		Infusion site reaction; Non-cardiac chest pain (severe: 0.4%)
Investigations			G3/4 Blood bilirubin increased (< 5%); G3/4 Blood Alkaline Phosphatase increased (< 4%); G3/4 AST increased (< 3%); G3/4 ALT increased (< 2%)

Description of selected adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 100mg/m2 single agent

Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Rare: bleeding episodes associated with grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia.

Nervous system disorders
Reversibility data are available among 35.3% of patients who developed neurotoxicity following Docetaxel treatment at 100mg/m² as single agent. The events were spontaneously reversible within 3 months.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Very rare: one case of alopecia non-reversible at the end of the study. 73% of the cutaneous reactions were reversible within 21 days.
General disorders and administration site conditions
The median cumulative dose to treatment discontinuation was more than 1,000mg/m2 and the median time to fluid retention reversibility was 16.4 weeks (range 0 to 42 weeks). The onset of moderate and severe retention is delayed (median cumulative dose: 818.9mg/m2) in patients with premedication compared with patients without premedication (median cumulative dose: 489.7mg/m2); however, it has been reported in some patients during the early courses of therapy.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 single agent

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Infections (G3/4: 5%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Neutropenia (G4: 54.2%); Anaemia (G3/4: 10.8%); Thrombocytopenia (G4: 1.7%)		Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders		Hypersensitivity (no severe)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders		Anorexia
Nervous system disorders	Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: 0.8%)		Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 2.5%)
Cardiac disorders		Arrhythmia (no severe)
Vascular disorders		Hypotension
Gastrointestinal disorders	Nausea (G3/4: 3.3%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 1.7%); Vomiting (G3/4: 0.8%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 1.7%)		Constipation
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Alopecia; Skin reaction (G3/4: 0.8%)		Nail disorders (severe: 0.8%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders		Myalgia
General disorders and administration site conditions		Asthenia (severe: 12.4%); Fluid retention (severe: 0.8%); Pain
Investigations		G3/4 Blood bilirubin increased (< 2%)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Doxorubicin

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations			Infection (G3/4: 7.8%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders			Neutropenia (G4: 91.7%); Anaemia (G3/4: 9.4%); Febrile neutropenia; Thrombocytopenia (G4: 0.8%)
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 1.2%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia
Nervous system disorders		Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3: 0.4%)		Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 0.4%)
Cardiac disorders			Cardiac failure; Arrhythmia (no severe)
Vascular disorders			Hypotension
Gastrointestinal disorders			Nausea (G3/4: 5%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 7.8%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 6.2%); Vomiting (G3/4: 5%); Constipation
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders			Alopecia; Nail disorders (severe: 0.4%); Skin reaction (no severe)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders			Myalgia
General disorders and administration site conditions		Asthenia (severe: 8.1%); Fluid retention (severe: 1.2%); Pain		Infusion site reaction
Investigations		G3/4 Blood bilirubin increased (< 2.5%); G3/4 Blood Alkaline Phosphatase increased (< 2.5%)		G3/4 AST increased (< 1%); G3/4 ALT increased (< 1%)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations			Infection (G3/4: 5.7%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders		Neutropenia (G4: 51.5%); Anaemia (G3/4: 6.9%); Thrombocytopenia (G4: 0.5%)		Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 2.5%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia
Nervous system disorders			Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3: 3.7%); Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 2%)
Cardiac disorders		Arrhythmia (G3/4: 0.7%)		Cardiac failure
Vascular disorders			Hypotension (G3/4: 0.7%)
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (G3/4: 9.6%); Vomiting (G3/4: 7.6%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 6.4%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 2%)		Constipation
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders			Alopecia; Nail disorders (severe: 0.7%); Skin reaction (G3/4: 0.2%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders			Myalgia (severe: 0.5%)
General disorders and administration site conditions		Asthenia (severe: 9.9%); Fluid retention (severe: 0.7%); Fever (G3/4: 1.2%)		Infusion site reaction; Pain
Investigations		G3/4 Blood bilirubin increased (2.1%); G3/4 ALT increased (1.3%)		G3/4 AST increased (0.5%); G3/4 Blood Alkaline Phosphatase increased (0.3%)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 100mg/m2 in combination with Trastuzumab

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions
Blood and lymphatic system disorders		Neutropenia (G3/4: 32%); Febrile neutropenia (includes neutropenia associated with fever and antibiotic use) or neutropenic sepsis
Metabolism and nutrition disorders		Anorexia
Psychiatric disorders		Insomnia
Nervous system disorders		Paresthesia; Headache; Dysgeusia; hypoesthesia
Eye disorders		Lacrimation increased; Conjunctivitis
Cardiac disorders		Cardiac failure
Vascular disorders		Lymphoedema
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders		Epistaxis; Pharyngolaryngeal pain; Nasopharyngitis; Dyspnoea; Cough; Rhinorrhoea
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea; Diarrhoea; Vomiting; Constipation; Stomatitis; Dyspepsia; Abdominal pain
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders		Alopecia; Erythema; Rash; Nail disorders
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders		Myalgia; Arthralgia; Pain in extremity; Bone pain; Back pain
General disorders and administration site conditions	Asthenia; Oedema peripheral; Pyrexia; Fatigue; Mucosal inflammation; Pain; Influenza like illness; Chest pain; Chills		Lethargy
Investigations		Weight increased

Description of selected adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 100mg/m2 in combination with Trastuzumab
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Very common: Haematological toxicity was increased in patients receiving Trastuzumab and Docetaxel, compared with Docetaxel alone (32% grade 3/4 neutropenia versus 22%, using NCI-CTC criteria). Note that this is likely to be an underestimate since Docetaxel alone at a dose of 100mg/m2 is known to result in neutropenia in 97% of patients, 76% grade 4, based on nadir blood counts. The incidence of febrile neutropenia/neutropenic sepsis was also increased in patients treated with Herceptin plus Docetaxel (23% versus 17% for patients treated with Docetaxel alone).
Cardiac disorders
Symptomatic cardiac failure was reported in 2.2% of the patients who received Docetaxel plus Trastuzumab compared to 0% of patients given Docetaxel alone. In the Docetaxel plus Trastuzumab arm, 64% had received a prior Anthracycline as adjuvant therapy compared with 55% in the Docetaxel arm alone.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Capecitabine

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Oral candidiasis (G3/4: < 1%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Neutropenia (G3/4: 63%); Anaemia (G3/4: 10%)		Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 3%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders	Anorexia (G3/4: 1%); Decreased appetite		Dehydration (G3/4: 2%)
Nervous system disorders	Dysgeusia (G3/4: < 1%); Paraesthesia (G3/4: < 1%)		Dizziness; Headache (G3/4: < 1%); Neuropathy peripheral
Eye disorders		Lacrimation increased
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders	Pharyngolaryngeal pain (G3/4: 2%)		Dyspnoea (G3/4: 1%); Cough (G3/4: < 1%); Epistaxis (G3/4: < 1%)
Gastrointestinal disorders	Stomatitis (G3/4: 18%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 14%); Nausea (G3/4: 6%); Vomiting (G3/4: 4%); Constipation (G3/4: 1%); Abdominal pain (G3/4: 2%); Dyspepsia		Abdominal pain upper; Dry mouth
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Hand-foot syndrome (G3/4: 24%); Alopecia (G3/4: 6%); Nail disorders (G3/4: 2%)		Dermatitis; Rash erythematous (G3/4: < 1%); Nail discolouration; Onycholysis (G3/4: 1%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders	Myalgia (G3/4: 2%); Arthralgia (G3/4: 1%)		Pain in extremity (G3/4: < 1%); Back pain (G3/4: 1%)
General disorders and administration site conditions	Asthenia (G3/4: 3%); Pyrexia (G3/4: 1%); Fatigue/weakness (G3/4: 5%); Oedema peripheral (G3/4: 1%)		Lethargy; Pain
Investigations		Weight decreased; G3/4 Blood bilirubin increased (9%)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Prednisone or Prednisolone

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Infection (G3/4: 3.3%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Neutropenia (G3/4: 32%); Anaemia (G3/4: 4.9%)		Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 0.6%); Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders		Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 0.6%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders		Anorexia (G3/4: 0.6%)
Nervous system disorders	Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: 1.2%); Dysgeusia (G3/4: 0%)		Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 0%)
Eye disorders		Lacrimation increased (G3/4: 0.6%)
Cardiac disorders		Cardiac left ventricular function decrease (G3/4: 0.3%)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders		Epistaxis (G3/4: 0%); Dyspnoea (G3/4: 0.6%); Cough (G3/4: 0%)
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (G3/4: 2.4%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 1.2%); Stomatitis/Pharyngitis (G3/4: 0.9%); Vomiting (G3/4: 1.2%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Alopecia; Nail disorders (no severe)		Exfoliative rash (G3/4: 0.3%)
Musculoskeletal and connective bone disorders		Arthralgia (G3/4: 0.3%); Myalgia (G3/4: 0.3%)
General disorders and administration site conditions		Fatigue (G3/4: 3.9%); Fluid retention (severe: 0.6%)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in breast cancer for adjuvant therapy with Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in patients with node-positive (TAX 316) and node-negative (GEICAM 9805) breast cancer - pooled data

MedDRA System Organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations			Infection (G3/4: 2.4%); Neutropenic infection (G3/4: 2.6%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders			Anaemia (G3/4: 3%); Neutropenia (G3/4: 59.2%); Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 1.6%); Febrile neutropenia (G3/4: NA)
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 0.6%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia (G3/4: 1.5%)
Nervous system disorders	Dysgeusia (G3/4: 0.6%); Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: <0.1%)		Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 0%)		Syncope (G3/4: 0%); Neurotoxicity (G3/4: 0%); Somnolence (G3/4: 0%)
Eye disorders		Conjunctivitis (G3/4: <0.1%)		Lacrimation increased (G3/4: <0.1%)
Cardiac disorders			Arrhythmia (G3/4: 0.2%)
Vascular disorders	Hot flush (G3/4: 0.5%)		Hypotension (G3/4: 0%); Phlebitis (G3/4: 0%)		Lymphoedema (G3/4: 0%)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders			Cough (G3/4: 0%)
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (G3/4: 5.0%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 6.0%); Vomiting (G3/4: 4.2%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 3.4%); Constipation (G3/4: 0.5%)		Abdominal pain (G3/4: 0.4%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders			Alopecia ( persisting: <3%); Skin disorder (G3/4: 0.6%); Nail disorders (G3/4: 0.4%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders			Myalgia (G3/4: 0.7%); Arthralgia (G3/4: 0.2%)
Reproductive system and breast disorders			Amenorrhoea (G3/4: NA)
General disorders and administration site conditions			Asthenia (G3/4: 10.0%); Pyrexia (G3/4: NA); Oedema peripheral (G3/4: 0.2%)
Investigations			Weight increased (G3/4: 0%); Weight decreased (G3/4;0.2%)

Description of selected adverse reactions for adjuvant therapy with Docetaxel 75mg/m² in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in patients with node-positive (TAX 316) and node-negative (GEICAM 9805) breast cancer
Nervous system disorders
In study TAX316 peripheral sensory neuropathy started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period in 84 patients (11.3%) in TAC arm and 15 patients (2 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 8 years), peripheral sensory neuropathy was observed to be ongoing in 10 patients (1.3%) in TAC arm, and in 2 patients (0.3%) in FAC arm.
In GEICAM 9805 study peripheral sensory neuropathy that started during the treatment period persisted into the follow-up period in 10 patients (1.9%) in TAC arm and 4 patients (0.8 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 10 years and 5 months), peripheral sensory neuropathy was observed to be ongoing in 3 patients (0.6%) in TAC arm, and in 1 patient (0.2%) in FAC arm.

Cardiac disorders
In study TAX316, 26 patients (3.5%) in the TAC arm and 17 patients (2.3%) in the FAC arm experienced congestive heart failure. All except one patient in each arm were diagnosed with CHF more than 30 days after the treatment period. Two patients in the TAC arm and 4 patients in the FAC arm died because of cardiac failure.
In GEICAM 9805 study, 3 patients (0.6 %) in TAC arm and 3 patients (0.6 %) in FAC arm developed congestive heart failure during the follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period (actual median follow-up time of 10 years and 5 months), no patients had CHF in TAC arm and 1 patient in TAC arm died because of dilated cardiomyopathy, and CHF was observed to be ongoing in 1 patient (0.2%) in FAC arm.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
In study TAX316, alopecia persisting into the follow-up period after the end of chemotherapy was reported in 687 of 744 TAC patients (92.3%) and 645 of 736 FAC patients (87.6%).
At the end of the follow-up period (actual median follow-up time of 8 years), alopecia was observed to be ongoing in 29 TAC patients (3.9%) and 16 FAC patients (2.2%).

In GEICAM 9805 study alopecia that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period was observed to be ongoing in 49 patients (9.2 %) in TAC arm and 35 patients (6.7 %) in FAC arm. Alopecia related to study drug started or worsened during the follow-up period in 42 patients (7.9 %) in TAC arm and 30 patients (5.8 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 10 years and 5 months), alopecia was observed to be ongoing in 3 patients (0.6%) in TAC arm, and in 1 patient (0.2%) in FAC arm.
Reproductive system and breast disorders
In TAX316 amenorrhoea that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period after the end of chemotherapy was reported in 202 of 744 TAC patients (27.2%) and 125 of 736 FAC patients (17.0%). Amenorrhea was observed to be ongoing at the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 8 years) in 121 of 744 TAC patients (16.3%) and 86 FAC patients (11.7%).
In GEICAM 9805 study amenorrhoea that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period was observed to be ongoing in 18 patients (3.4 %) in TAC arm and 5 patients (1.0 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 10 years and 5 months), amenorrhoea was observed to be ongoing in 7 patients (1.3%) in TAC arm, and in 4 patients (0.8%) in FAC arm.

General disorders and administration site conditions
In study TAX316 peripheral oedema that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period after the end of chemotherapy was observed in 119 of 744 TAC patients (16.0%) and 23 of 736 FAC patients (3.1%). At the end of the follow-up period (actual median follow-up time of 8 years), peripheral oedema was ongoing in19 TAC patients (2.6%) and 4 FAC patients (0.5%).

In study TAX316 lymphoedema that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period after the end of chemotherapy was reported in 11 of 744 TAC patients (1.5%) and 1 of 736 FAC patients (0.1%). At the end of the follow-up period (actual median follow-up time of 8 years), lymphoedema was observed to be ongoing in 6 TAC patients (0.8%) and 1 FAC patient (0.1%).
In study TAX316 asthenia that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period after the end of chemotherapy was reported in 236 of 744 TAC patients (31.7%) and 180 of 736 FAC patients (24.5%). At the end of the follow-up period (actual median follow-up time of 8 years), asthenia was observed to be ongoing in 29 TAC patients (3.9%) and 16 FAC patients (2.2%).

In study GEICAM 9805 peripheral oedema that started during the treatment period persisted into the follow-up period in 4 patients (0.8%) in TAC arm and in 2 patients (0.4%) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 10 years and 5 months), no patients (0%) in TAC arm had peripheral oedema and it was observed to be ongoing in 1 patient (0.2%) in FAC arm. Lymphoedema that started during the treatment period persisted into the follow-up period in 5 patients (0.9%) in TAC arm and 2 patients (0.4 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period, lymphoedema was observed to be ongoing in 4 patients (0.8%) in TAC arm, and in 1 patient (0.2%) in FAC arm.
Asthenia that started during the treatment period and persisted into the follow-up period was observed to be ongoing in 12 patients (2.3 %) in TAC arm and 4 patients (0.8 %) in FAC arm. At the end of the follow-up period, asthenia was observed to be ongoing in 2 patients (0.4%) in TAC arm, and in 2 patients (0.4%) in FAC arm.

Acute leukaemia / Myelodysplastic syndrome
After 10 years of follow up in study TAX316, acute leukaemia was reported in 3 of 744 TAC patients (0.4%) and in 1 of 736 FAC patients (0.1%). One TAC patient (0.1%) and 1 FAC patient (0.1%) died due to AML during the follow-up period (median follow-up time of 8 years). Myelodysplastic syndrome was reported in 2 of 744 TAC patients (0.3%) and in 1 of 736 FAC patients (0.1%). After 10 years of follow-up in GEICAM 9805 study acute leukaemia occurred in 1 of 532 (0.2%) patients in TAC arm No cases were reported in patients in FAC arm No patient was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in either treatment groups.
Neutropenic complications
Table below shows that the incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection was decreased in patients who received primary G-CSF prophylaxis after it was made mandatory in the TAC arm-GEICAM study.

Neutropenic complications in patients receiving TAC with or without primary G-CSF prophylaxis (GEICAM 9805)

Without primary G-CSF prophylaxis (n = 111) n (%)		With primary G-CSF prophylaxis (n = 421) n (%)
Neutropenia (Grade 4)	104 (93.7)		135 (32.1)
Febrile neutropenia	28 (25.2)		23 (5.5)
Neutropenic infection	14 (12.6)		21 (5.0)
Neutropenic infection (Grade 3-4)	2 (1.8)		5 (1.2)

Tabulated list of adverse reactions in gastric adenocarcinoma cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Neutropenic infection; Infection (G3/4: 11.7%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders		Anaemia (G3/4: 20.9%); Neutropenia (G3/4: 83.2%); Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 8.8%); Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders		Hypersensitivity (G3/4: 1.7%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders		Anorexia (G3/4: 11.7%)
Nervous system disorders	Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: 8.7%)		Dizziness (G3/4: 2.3%); Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 1.3%)
Eye disorders		Lacrimation increased (G3/4: 0%)
Ear and labyrinth disorders		Hearing impaired (G3/4: 0%)
Cardiac disorders		Arrhythmia (G3/4: 1.0%)
Gastrointestinal disorders	Diarrhoea (G3/4: 19.7%); Nausea (G3/4: 16%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 23.7%); Vomiting (G3/4: 14.3%)		Constipation (G3/4: 1.0%); Gastrointestinal pain (G3/4: 1.0%); Oesophagitis/dysphagia/odynophagia (G3/4: 0.7%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Alopecia (G3/4: 4.0%)		Rash pruritus (G3/4: 0.7%); Nail disorders (G3/4: 0.7%); Skin exfoliation (G3/4: 0%)
General disorders and administration site conditions		Lethargy (G3/4: 19.0%); Fever (G3/4: 2.3%); Fluid retention (severe/life- threatening: 1%)

Description of selected adverse reactions in gastric adenocarcinoma cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection occurred in 17.2% and 13.5% of patients respectively, regardless of G-CSF use. G-CSF was used for secondary prophylaxis in 19.3% of patients (10.7% of the cycles). Febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection occurred respectively in 12.1% and 3.4% of patients when patients received prophylactic G-CSF, in 15.6% and 12.9% of patients without prophylactic G-CSF (see section 4.2).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions in head and neck cancer for Docetaxel 75mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil
• Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (TAX 323)

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations			Infection (G3/4: 6.3%); Neutropenic infection
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)			Cancer pain (G3/4: 0.6%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders		Neutropenia (G3/4: 76.3%); Anaemia (G3/4: 9.2%); Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 5.2%)		Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity (no severe)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia (G3/4: 0.6%)
Nervous system disorders		Dysgeusia/Parosmia; Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: 0.6%)		Dizziness
Eye disorders			Lacrimation increased; Conjunctivitis
Ear and labyrinth disorders			Hearing impaired
Cardiac disorders		Myocardial ischemia (G3/4:1.7%)		Arrhythmia (G3/4: 0.6%)
Vascular disorders			Venous disorder (G3/4: 0.6%)
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (G3/4: 0.6%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 4.0%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 2.9%); Vomiting (G3/4: 0.6%)		Constipation; Esophagitis/dysphagia/ odynophagia (G3/4: 0.6%); Abdominal pain; Dyspepsia; Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (G3/4: 0.6%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders		Alopecia (G3/4: 10.9%)		Rash pruritic; Dry skin; Skin exfoliative (G3/4: 0.6%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders			Myalgia (G3/4: 0.6%)
General disorders and administration site conditions			Lethargy (G3/4: 3.4%); Pyrexia (G3/4: 0.6%); Fluid retention; Oedema
Investigations			Weight increased

• Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (TAX 324)

MedDRA system organ classes	Very common adverse reactions		Common adverse reactions		Uncommon adverse reactions
Infections and infestations		Infection (G3/4: 3.6%)		Neutropenic infection
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)			Cancer pain (G3/4: 1.2%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders			Neutropenia (G3/4: 83.5%); Anaemia (G3/4: 12.4%); Thrombocytopenia (G3/4: 4.0%); Febrile neutropenia
Immune system disorders			Hypersensitivity
Metabolism and nutrition disorders			Anorexia (G3/4: 12.0%)
Nervous system disorders		Dysgeusia/Parosmia (G3/4: 0.4%); Peripheral sensory neuropathy (G3/4: 1.2%)		Dizziness (G3/4: 2.0%); Peripheral motor neuropathy (G3/4: 0.4%)
Eye disorders		Lacrimation increased		Conjunctivitis
Ear and labyrinth disorders			Hearing impaired (G3/4: 1.2%)
Cardiac disorders		Arrhythmia (G3/4: 2.0%)		Ischemia myocardial
Vascular disorders			Venous disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (G3/4: 13.9%); Stomatitis (G3/4: 20.7%); Vomiting (G3/4: 8.4%); Diarrhoea (G3/4: 6.8%); Esophagitis/dysphagia/ odynophagia (G3/4: 12.0%); Constipation (G3/4: 0.4%)		Dyspepsia (G3/4: 0.8%); Gastrointestinal pain (G3/4: 1.2%); Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (G3/4: 0.4%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders		Alopecia (G3/4: 4.0%); Rash pruritic		Dry skin; Desquamation
Musculoskeletal, connective tissue bone disorders			Myalgia (G3/4: 0.4%)
General disorders and administration site conditions			Lethargy (G3/4: 4.0%); Pyrexia (G3/4: 3.6%); Fluid retention (G3/4: 1.2%); Oedema (G3/4: 1.2%)
Investigations		Weight decreased		Weight increased

Post-marketing experience
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Cases of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome have been reported in association with Docetaxel when used in combination with other chemotherapy agents and/or radiotherapy.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Bone marrow suppression and other haematologic adverse reactions have been reported. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), often in association with sepsis or multiorgan failure, has been reported.
Immune system disorders
Some cases of anaphylactic shock, sometimes fatal, have been reported.
Hypersensitivity reactions (frequency not known) have been reported with Docetaxel in patients who previously experienced hypersensitivity reactions to Paclitaxel.
Nervous system disorders
Rare cases of convulsion or transient loss of consciousness have been observed with Docetaxel administration. These reactions sometimes appear during the infusion of the medicinal product.
Eye disorders
Very rare cases of transient visual disturbances (flashes, flashing lights, scotomata) typically occurring during infusion of the medicinal product and in association with hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. These were reversible upon discontinuation of the infusion. Cases of lacrimation with or without conjunctivitis, as cases of lacrimal duct obstruction resulting in excessive tearing have been rarely reported. Cases of cystoid macular oedema (CMO) have been reported in patients treated with Docetaxel.
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Rare cases of ototoxicity, hearing impaired and/or hearing loss have been reported.
Cardiac disorders
Rare cases of myocardial infarction have been reported.

Ventricular arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia (frequency not known), sometimes fatal, has been reported in patients treated with Docetaxel in combination regimens including Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil and/ or Cyclophosphamide.
Vascular disorders
Venous thromboembolic events have rarely been reported.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Acute respiratory distress syndrome and cases of interstitial pneumonia/ pneumonitis, interstitial lung
disease, pulmonary fibrosis and respiratory failure sometimes fatal have rarely been reported. Rare cases of radiation pneumonitis have been reported in patients receiving concomitant radiotherapy.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Rare occurrences of dehydration as a consequence of gastrointestinal events, gastrointestinal perforation, colitis ischaemic, colitis and neutropenic enterocolitis have been reported. Rare cases of ileus and intestinal obstruction have been reported.
Hepatobiliary disorders
Very rare cases of hepatitis, sometimes fatal primarily in patients with pre-existing liver disorders, have been reported.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Very rare cases of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and bullous eruptions such as erythema multiforme,

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported with Docetaxel. In some cases concomitant factors may have contributed to the development of these effects. Sclerodermal-like changes usually preceded by peripheral lymphoedema have been reported with Docetaxel. Cases of persisting alopecia have been reported.
Renal and urinary disorders
Renal insufficiency and renal failure have been reported. In about 20% of these cases there were no risk factors for acute renal failure such as concomitant nephrotoxic medicinal products and gastrointestinal disorders.
General disorders and administration site conditions
Radiation recall phenomena have rarely been reported.
Fluid retention has not been accompanied by acute episodes of oliguria or hypotension. Dehydration and pulmonary oedema have rarely been reported.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Cases of hyponatraemia have been reported, mostly associated with dehydration, vomiting and pneumonia. Hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, and hypocalcaemia were observed, usually in association with gastrointestinal disorders and in particular with diarrhoea.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.
To report any side effect(s) in Saudi Arabia, please contact:
The National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Centre (NPC)
Fax: +966-11-205-7662
Call NPC at +966-11-2038222, Exts: 2317-2356-2353-2354-2334-2340.
Toll free phone: 8002490000
E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa
Website: www.sfda.gov.sa/npc

There were a few reports of overdose. There is no known antidote for Docetaxel overdose. In case of overdose, the patient should be kept in a specialized unit and vital functions closely monitored. In cases of overdose, exacerbation of adverse events may be expected. The primary anticipated complications of overdose would consist of bone marrow suppression, peripheral neurotoxicity and mucositis. Patients should receive therapeutic G-CSF as soon as possible after discovery of overdose. Other appropriate symptomatic measures should be taken, as needed.

Pharmacotherapeutic group
Taxanes, ATC Code: L01CD02

Mechanism of action

Docetaxel is an antineoplastic agent which acts by promoting the assembly of tubulin into stable microtubules and inhibits their disassembly which leads to a marked decrease of free tubulin. The binding of Docetaxel to microtubules does not alter the number of protofilaments.
Docetaxel has been shown in vitro to disrupt the microtubular network in cells which is essential for vital mitotic and interphase cellular functions.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Docetaxel was found to be cytotoxic in vitro against various murine and human tumour cell lines and against freshly excised human tumour cells in clonogenic assays. Docetaxel achieves high intracellular concentrations with a long cell residence time. In addition, Docetaxel was found to be active on some but not all cell lines over expressing the p-glycoprotein which is encoded by the multidrug resistance gene. In vivo, Docetaxel is schedule independent and has a broad spectrum of experimental antitumour activity against advanced murine and human grafted tumours.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Breast cancer
Docetaxel in combination with Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide: adjuvant therapy

Patients with operable node-positive breast cancer (TAX 316)
Data from a multicentre open label randomized study support the use of Docetaxel for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer and KPS ≥ 80%, between 18 and 70 years of age. After stratification according to the number of positive lymph nodes (1-3, 4+), 1491 patients were randomized to receive either Docetaxel 75mg/m2 administered 1-hour after Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (TAC arm), or Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 followed by Fluorouracil 500mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (FAC arm). Both regimens were administered once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Docetaxel was administered as a 1-hour infusion, all other medicinal products were given as intravenous bolus on day one. G-CSF was administered as secondary prophylaxis to patients who experienced complicated neutropenia (febrile neutropenia, prolonged neutropenia, or infection). Patients on the TAC arm received antibiotic prophylaxis with Ciprofloxacin 500mg orally twice daily for 10 days starting on day 5 of each cycle, or equivalent. In both arms, after the last cycle of chemotherapy, patients with positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptors received Tamoxifen 20mg daily for up to 5 years. Adjuvant radiation therapy was prescribed according to guidelines in place at participating institutions and was given to 69% of patients who received TAC and 72% of patients who received FAC. Two interim analyses and one final analysis were performed. The first interim analysis was planned 3 years after the date when half of study enrollment was done. The second interim analysis was done after 400 DFS events had been recorded overall, which led to a median follow up of 55 months. The final analysis was performed when all patients had reached their 10-year follow up visit (unless they had a DFS event or were lost to follow up before). Disease-free survival (DFS) was the primary efficacy endpoint and Overall survival (OS) was the secondary efficacy endpoint.

Patients with operable node-positive breast cancer (TAX 316)
Data from a multicentre open label randomized study support the use of Docetaxel for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer and KPS ≥ 80%, between 18 and 70 years of age. After stratification according to the number of positive lymph nodes (1-3, 4+), 1491 patients were randomized to receive either Docetaxel 75mg/m2 administered 1-hour after Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (TAC arm), or Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 followed by Fluorouracil 500mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (FAC arm). Both regimens were administered once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Docetaxel was administered as a 1-hour infusion, all other medicinal products were given as intravenous bolus on day one. G-CSF was administered as secondary prophylaxis to patients who experienced complicated neutropenia (febrile neutropenia, prolonged neutropenia, or infection). Patients on the TAC arm received antibiotic prophylaxis with Ciprofloxacin 500mg orally twice daily for 10 days starting on day 5 of each cycle, or equivalent. In both arms, after the last cycle of chemotherapy, patients with positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptors received Tamoxifen 20mg daily for up to 5 years. Adjuvant radiation therapy was prescribed according to guidelines in place at participating institutions and was given to 69% of patients who received TAC and 72% of patients who received FAC. Two interim analyses and one final analysis were performed. The first interim analysis was planned 3 years after the date when half of study enrollment was done. The second interim analysis was done after 400 DFS events had been recorded overall, which led to a median follow up of 55 months. The final analysis was performed when all patients had reached their 10-year follow up visit (unless they had a DFS event or were lost to follow up before). Disease-free survival (DFS) was the primary efficacy endpoint and Overall survival (OS) was the secondary efficacy endpoint.

Disease-free survival				Overall survival
Patient subset	Number of patients	Hazard ratio*	95% CI	p =	Hazard ratio*	95% CI	p =
No of positive nodes Overall 1-3 4+	745 467 278	0.80 0.72 0.87	0.68-0.93 0.58-0.91 0.70-1.09	0.0043 0.0047 0.2290	0.74 0.62 0.87	0.61-0.90 0.46-0.82 0.67-1.12	0.0020 0.0008 0.2746

*a hazard ratio of less than 1 indicates that TAC is associated with a longer disease-free survival and overall survival compared to FAC

Patients with operable node-negative breast cancer eligible to receive chemotherapy (GEICAM 9805)
Data from a multicentre open label randomized trial support the use of Docetaxel for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-negative breast cancer eligible to receive chemotherapy.
1060 patients were randomized to receive either Docetaxel 75mg/m2 administered 1-hour after Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (539 patients in TAC arm), or Doxorubicin 50mg/m2 followed by Fluorouracil 500mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 (521 patients in FAC arm), as adjuvant treatment of operable node-negative breast cancer patients with high risk of relapse according to 1998 St. Gallen criteria (tumour size >2 cm and/or negative ER and PR and/or high histological/nuclear grade (grade 2 to 3) and /or age <35 years).). Both regimens were administered once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Docetaxel was administered as a 1-hour infusion, all other medicinal products were given intravenously on day 1 every three weeks. Primary prophylactic G-CSF was made mandatory in TAC arm after 230 patients were randomized. The incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection was decreased in patients who received primary G-CSF prophylaxis (see section 4.8). In both arms, after the last cycle of chemotherapy, patients with ER+ and/or PgR+ tumours received Tamoxifen 20mg once a day for up to 5 years. Adjuvant radiation therapy was administered according to guidelines in place at participating institutions and was given to 57.3% of patients who received TAC and 51.2% of patients who received FAC.
Median duration of follow up was 77 months. Significantly longer disease-free survival for the TAC arm compared to the FAC arm was demonstrated. TAC-treated patients had a 32% reduction in the risk of relapse compared to those treated with FAC (hazard ratio = 0.68, 95% CI (0.49-0.93), p = 0.01). Overall survival (OS) was also longer in the TAC arm with TAC-treated patients having a 24% reduction in the risk of death compared to FAC (hazard ratio = 0.76, 95% CI (0.46-1.26, p = 0.29). However, the distribution of OS was not significantly different between the 2 groups.
TAC-treated patient subsets according to prospectively defined major prognostic factors were analyzed (see table below):
Subset Analyses-Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Node-negative Breast Cancer Study
(Intent-to-Treat Analysis)

Patient subset	Number of patients in TAC group		Disease-Free Survival
Hazard ratio*		95% CI
Overall	539	0.68	0.49-0.93
Age category 1 <50 years ≥50 years	260 279	0.67 0.67	0.43-1.05 0.43-1.05
Age category 2 <35 years ≥35 years	42 497	0.31 0.73	0.11-0.89 0.52-1.01

 

Hormonal receptor status Negative Positive	195 344	0.7 0.62	0.45-1.1 0.4-0.97
Tumour size ≤ 2 cm >2 cm	285 254	0.69 0.68	0.43-1.1 0.45-1.04
Histological grade Grade1 (includes grade not assessed) Grade 2 Grade 3	64 216 259	0.79 0.77 0.59	0.24-2.6 0.46-1.3 0.39-0.9
Menopausal status Pre-Menopausal Post-Menopausal	285 254	0.64 0.72	0.40-1 0.47-1.12

*a hazard ratio (TAC/FAC) of less than 1 indicates that TAC is associated with a longer disease-free survival compared to FAC.
Exploratory subgroup analyses for disease-free survival for patients who meet the 2009 St. Gallen chemotherapy criteria – (ITT population) were performed and presented here below:

Subgroups	TAC (n=539)	FAC (n=521)	Hazard ratio (TAC/FAC) (95% CI)	p-value
Meeting relative indication for chemotherapy a
No	18/214 (8.4%)	26/227 (11.5%)	0.796 (0.434 - 1.459)	0.4593
Yes	48/325 (14.8%)	69/294 (23.5%)	0.606 (0.42 - 0.877)	0.0072

TAC = Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide
FAC = 5-Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide
CI = confidence interval; ER = estrogen receptor
PR = progesterone receptor
a ER/PR-negative or Grade 3 or tumour size >5 cm
The estimated hazard ratio was using Cox proportional hazard model with treatment group as the factor.
Docetaxel as single agent
Two randomized phase III comparative studies, involving a total of 326 alkylating or 392 Anthracycline failure metastatic breast cancer patients, have been performed with Docetaxel at the recommended dose and regimen of 100mg/m2 every 3 weeks.
In alkylating-failure patients, Docetaxel was compared to Doxorubicin (75mg/m2 every 3 weeks). Without affecting overall survival time (Docetaxel 15 months vs. Doxorubicin 14 months, p = 0.38) or time to progression (Docetaxel 27 weeks vs. Doxorubicin 23 weeks, p = 0.54), Docetaxel increased response rate (52% vs. 37%, p = 0.01) and shortened time to response (12 weeks vs. 23 weeks, p = 0.007). Three Docetaxel patients (2%) discontinued the treatment due to fluid retention, whereas 15 Doxorubicin patients (9%) discontinued due to cardiac toxicity (three cases of fatal congestive heart failure).

In Anthracycline-failure patients, Docetaxel was compared to the combination of Mitomycin C and Vinblastine (12mg/m2 every 6 weeks and 6mg/m2 every 3 weeks). Docetaxel increased response rate (33% vs. 12%, p < 0.0001), prolonged time to progression (19 weeks vs. 11 weeks, p = 0.0004) and prolonged overall survival (11 months vs. 9 months, p = 0.01).
During these two phase III studies, the safety profile of Docetaxel was consistent with the safety profile observed in phase II studies (see section 4.8).
An open-label, multicentre, randomized phase III study was conducted to compare Docetaxel monotherapy and Paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in patients whose previous therapy should have included an Anthracycline. A total of 449 patients were randomized to receive either Docetaxel monotherapy 100mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion or Paclitaxel 175mg/m2 as a 3 hour infusion. Both regimens were administered every 3 weeks.
Without affecting the primary endpoint, overall response rate (32% vs 25%, p = 0.10), Docetaxel prolonged median time to progression (24.6 weeks vs 15.6 weeks; p < 0.01) and median survival (15.3 months vs 12.7 months; p = 0.03).
More grade 3/4 adverse events were observed for Docetaxel monotherapy (55.4%) compared to paclitaxel (23.0%).
Docetaxel in combination with Doxorubicin
One large randomized phase III study, involving 429 previously untreated patients with metastatic disease, has been performed with Doxorubicin (50mg/m2) in combination with Docetaxel (75mg/m2) (AT arm) versus Doxorubicin (60mg/m2) in combination with Cyclophosphamide (600mg/m2) (AC arm). Both regimens were administered on day 1 every 3 weeks.
• Time to progression (TTP) was significantly longer in the AT arm versus AC arm, p = 0.0138. The median TTP was 37.3 weeks (95% CI: 33.4 - 42.1) in AT arm and 31.9 weeks (95% CI: 27.4-36.0) in AC arm.
• Overall response rate (ORR) was significantly higher in the AT arm versus AC arm, p = 0.009. The ORR was 59.3% (95% CI: 52.8 - 65.9) in AT arm versus 46.5% (95% CI: 39.8 - 53.2) in AC arm.

In this study, AT arm showed a higher incidence of severe neutropenia (90% versus 68.6%), febrile neutropenia (33.3% versus 10%), infection (8% versus 2.4%), diarrhoea (7.5% versus 1.4%), asthenia (8.5% versus 2.4%), and pain (2.8% versus 0%) than AC arm. On the other hand, AC arm showed a higher incidence of severe anaemia (15.8% versus 8.5%) than AT arm, and, in addition, a higher incidence of severe cardiac toxicity: congestive heart failure (3.8% versus 2.8%), absolute LVEF decrease ≥ 20% (13.1% versus 6.1%), absolute LVEF decrease ≥ 30% (6.2% versus 1.1%). Toxic deaths occurred in 1 patient in the AT arm (congestive heart failure) and in 4 patients in the AC arm (1 due to septic shock and 3 due to congestive heart failure).
In both arms, quality of life measured by the EORTC questionnaire was comparable and stable during treatment and follow up.

Docetaxel in combination with Trastuzumab
Docetaxel in combination with Trastuzumab was studied for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours overexpress HER2, and who previously had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. One hundred eighty six patients were randomized to receive Docetaxel (100mg/m2) with or without Trastuzumab; 60% of patients received prior Anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Docetaxel plus Trastuzumab was efficacious in patients whether or not they had received prior adjuvant Anthracycline. The main test method used to determine HER2 positivity in this pivotal study was immunohistochemistry (IHC). A minority of patients were tested using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). In this study, 87% of patients had disease that was IHC 3+, and 95% of patients entered had disease that was IHC 3+ and/or FISH positive. Efficacy results are summarized in the following table:

Parameter	Docetaxel plus Trastuzumab1 n = 92	Docetaxel1 n = 94
Response rate (95% CI)	61% (50-71)	34% (25-45)
Median duration of response (months) (95% CI)	11.4 (9.2-15.0)	5.1 (4.4-6.2)
Median TTP (months) (95% CI)	10.6 (7.6-12.9)	5.7 (5.0-6.5)
Median survival (months) (95% CI)	30.52 (26.8-ne)	22.12 (17.6-28.9)

TTP = time to progression; “ne” indicates that it could not be estimated or it was not yet reached.
1Full analysis set (intent-to-treat)
2Estimated median survival

Docetaxel in combination with Capecitabine
Data from one multicentre, randomized, controlled phase III clinical study support the use of Docetaxel in combination with Capecitabine for treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy, including an Anthracycline. In this study, 255 patients were randomized to treatment with Docetaxel (75mg/m2 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks) and Capecitabine (1250mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by 1-week rest period). 256 patients were randomized to treatment with Docetaxel alone (100mg/m2 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks). Survival was superior in the Docetaxel + Capecitabine combination arm (p = 0.0126). Median survival was 442 days (Docetaxel + Capecitabine) vs. 352 days (Docetaxel alone). The overall objective response rates in the all- randomized population (investigator assessment) were 41.6% (Docetaxel + Capecitabine) vs. 29.7% (Docetaxel alone); p = 0.0058. Time to progressive disease was superior in the Docetaxel + Capecitabine combination arm (p < 0.0001). The median time to progression was 186 days (Docetaxel + Capecitabine) vs. 128 days (Docetaxel alone).

Non small cell lung cancer
Patients previously treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy
In a phase III study, in previously treated patients, time to progression (12.3 weeks versus 7 weeks) and overall survival were significantly longer for Docetaxel at 75mg/m2 compared to Best Supportive Care. The 1-year survival rate was also significantly longer in Docetaxel (40%) versus BSC (16%). There was less use of morphinic analgesic (p < 0.01), non-morphinic analgesics (p < 0.01), other disease-related medicinal products (p = 0.06) and radiotherapy (p < 0.01) in patients treated with Docetaxel at 75mg/m2 compared to those with BSC.
The overall response rate was 6.8% in the evaluable patients, and the median duration of response was 26.1 weeks.

Docetaxel in combination with platinum agents in chemotherapy-naïve patients
In a phase III study, 1218 patients with unresectable stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, with KPS of 70% or greater, and who did not receive previous chemotherapy for this condition, were randomized to either Docetaxel (T) 75mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion immediately followed by Cisplatin (Cis) 75mg/m2 over 30-60 minutes every 3 weeks (TCis), Docetaxel 75mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion in combination with Carboplatin (AUC 6mg/ml.min) over 30-60 minutes every 3 weeks, or Vinorelbine (V) 25mg/m2 administered over 6-10 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, 22 followed by Cisplatin 100mg/m2 administered on day 1 of cycles repeated every 4 weeks (VCis).
Survival data, median time to progression and response rates for two arms of the study are illustrated in the following table:

TCis n = 408	VCis n = 404		Statistical analysis
Overall survival (Primary end-point): Median survival (months) 1-year Survival (%) 2-year Survival (%)	11.3 46 21	10.1 41 14	Hazard Ratio: 1.122 [97.2% CI: 0.937; 1.342]* Treatment difference: 5.4% [95% CI: -1.1; 12.0] Treatment difference: 6.2% [95% CI: 0.2; 12.3]
Median time to progression (weeks):	22.0	23.0	Hazard Ratio: 1.032 [95% CI: 0.876; 1.216]
Overall response rate (%):	31.6	24.5	Treatment difference: 7.1% [95% CI: 0.7; 13.5]

*: Corrected for multiple comparisons and adjusted for stratification factors (stage of disease and region of treatment), based on evaluable patient population.
Secondary end-points included change of pain, global rating of quality of life by EuroQoL-5D, Lung Cancer Symptom Scale, and changes in Karnosfky performance status. Results on these end-points were supportive of the primary end-points results.
For Docetaxel/Carboplatin combination, neither equivalent nor non-inferior efficacy could be proven compared to the reference treatment combination VCis.
Prostate cancer
The safety and efficacy of Docetaxel in combination with Prednisone or Prednisolone in patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer were evaluated in a randomized multicentre phase III study. A total of 1006 patients with KPS ≥ 60 were randomized to the following treatment groups:
• Docetaxel 75mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 10 cycles.
• Docetaxel 30mg/m2 administered weekly for the first 5 weeks in a 6 week cycle for 5 cycles.
• Mitoxantrone 12mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 10 cycles.
All 3 regimens were administered in combination with prednisone or prednisolone 5 mg twice daily, continuously.
Patients who received Docetaxel every three weeks demonstrated significantly longer overall survival compared to those treated with Mitoxantrone. The increase in survival seen in the Docetaxel weekly arm was not statistically significant compared to the Mitoxantrone control arm. Efficacy endpoints for the Docetaxel arms versus the control arm are summarized in the following table:

Endpoint	Docetaxel every 3 weeks	Docetaxel every week	Mitoxantrone every 3 weeks
Number of patients Median survival (months) 95% CI Hazard ratio 95% CI p-value†*	335 18.9 (17.0-21.2) 0.761 (0.619-0.936) 0.0094	334 17.4 (15.7-19.0) 0.912 (0.747-1.113) 0.3624	337 16.5 (14.4-18.6) -- -- --
Number of patients PSA** response rate (%)	291 45.4	282 47.9	300 31.7

 

95% CI p-value*	(39.5-51.3) 0.0005	(41.9-53.9) <0.0001	(26.4-37.3) --
Number of patients Pain response rate (%) 95% CI p-value*	153 34.6 (27.1-42.7) 0.0107	154 31.2 (24.0-39.1) 0.0798	157 21.7 (15.5-28.9) --
Number of patients Tumour response rate (%) 95% CI p-value*	141 12.1 (7.2-18.6) 0.1112	134 8.2 (4.2-14.2) 0.5853	137 6.6 (3.0-12.1)

Stratified log rank test
*Threshold for statistical significance = 0.0175
**PSA: Prostate-Specific Antigen

Given the fact that Docetaxel every week presented a slightly better safety profile than Docetaxel every 3 weeks, it is possible that certain patients may benefit from Docetaxel every week.
No statistical differences were observed between treatment groups for Global Quality of Life.
Gastric adenocarcinoma
A multicentre, open-label, randomized study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Docetaxel for the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who had not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. A total of 445 patients with KPS > 70 were treated with either Docetaxel (T) (75mg/m2 on day 1) in combination with Cisplatin (C) (75mg/m2 on day 1) and 5-Fluorouracil (F) (750mg/m2 per day for 5 days) or Cisplatin (100mg/m2 on day 1) and 5-Fluorouracil (1000mg/m2 per day for 5 days). The length of a treatment cycle was 3 weeks for the TCF arm and 4 weeks for the CF arm. The median number of cycles administered per patient was 6 (with a range of 1-16) for the TCF arm compared to 4 (with a range of 1-12) for the CF arm. Time to progression (TTP) was the primary endpoint. The risk reduction of progression was 32.1% and was associated with a significantly longer TTP (p = 0.0004) in favour of the TCF arm. Overall survival was also significantly longer (p = 0.0201) in favour of the TCF arm with a risk reduction of mortality of 22.7%. Efficacy results are summarized in the following table:
Efficacy of Docetaxel in the treatment of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

Endpoint	TCF n = 221	CF n = 224
Median TTP (months) (95% CI) Hazard ratio (95% CI) *p-value	5.6 (4.86-5.91)	3.7 (3.45-4.47)
1.473 (1.189-1.825) 0.0004
Median survival (months) (95% CI) 2-year estimate (%) Hazard ratio (95% CI) *p-value	9.2 (8.38-10.58) 18.4	8.6 (7.16-9.46) 8.8
1.293 (1.041-1.606) 0.0201
Overall response rate (CR+PR) (%) p-value	36.7	25.4
0.0106
Progressive disease as best overall response (%)	16.7	25.9

*Unstratified logrank test

Subgroup analyses across age, gender and race consistently favoured the TCF arm compared to the CF arm.
A survival update analysis conducted with a median follow up time of 41.6 months no longer showed a statistically significant difference although always in favour of the TCF regimen and showed that the benefit of TCF over CF is clearly observed between 18 and 30 months of follow up.
Overall, quality of life (QoL) and clinical benefit results consistently indicated improvement in favour of the TCF arm. Patients treated with TCF had a longer time to 5% definitive deterioration of global health status on the QLQ-C30 questionnaire (p = 0.0121) and a longer time to definitive worsening of Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.0088) compared to patients treated with CF.
Head and neck cancer
• Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (TAX323)
The safety and efficacy of Docetaxel in the induction treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) was evaluated in a phase III, multicentre, open-label, randomized study (TAX323). In this study, 358 patients with inoperable locally advanced SCCHN, and WHO performance status 0 or 1, were randomized to one of two treatment arms. Patients on the Docetaxel arm received Docetaxel (T) 75mg/m2 followed by Cisplatin (P) 75mg/m2 followed by 5-Fluorouracil (F) 750mg/m2 per day as a continuous infusion for 5 days. This regimen was administered every three weeks for 4 cycles in case at least a minor response (≥ 25% reduction in bidimensionally measured tumour size) was observed after 2 cycles. At the end of chemotherapy, with a minimal interval of 4 weeks and a maximal interval of 7 weeks, patients whose disease did not progress received radiotherapy (RT) according to institutional guidelines for 7 weeks (TPF/RT). Patients on the comparator arm received Cisplatin (P) 100mg/m2 followed by 5-Fluorouracil (F) 1000mg/m2 per day for 5 days. This regimen was administered every three weeks for 4 cycles in case at least a minor response (≥ 25% reduction in bidimensionally measured tumour size) was observed after 2 cycles. At the end of chemotherapy, with a minimal interval of 4 weeks and a maximal interval of 7 weeks, patients whose disease did not progress received radiotherapy (RT) according to institutional guidelines for 7 weeks (PF/RT). Locoregional therapy with radiation was delivered either with a conventional fraction (1.8 Gy - 2.0 Gy once a day, 5 days per week for a total dose of 66 to 70 Gy), or accelerated/hyperfractionated regimens of radiation therapy (twice a day, with a minimum interfraction interval of 6 hours, 5 days per week). A total of 70 Gy was recommended for accelerated regimens and 74 Gy for hyperfractionated schemes. Surgical resection was allowed following chemotherapy, before or after radiotherapy. Patients on the TPF arm received antibiotic prophylaxis with Ciprofloxacin 500mg orally twice daily for 10 days starting on day 5 of each cycle, or equivalent.

The primary endpoint in this study, progression-free survival (PFS), was significantly longer in the TPF arm compared to the PF arm, p = 0.0042 (median PFS: 11.4 vs. 8.3 months respectively) with an overall median follow up time of 33.7 months. Median overall survival was also significantly longer in favour of the TPF arm compared to the PF arm (median OS: 18.6 vs. 14.5 months respectively) with a 28% risk reduction of mortality, p = 0.0128. Efficacy results are presented in the table below:

Efficacy of Docetaxel in the induction treatment of patients with inoperable locally advanced SCCHN (Intent-to-Treat Analysis)

Endpoint	Docetaxel + Cis + 5-FU n = 177	Cis + 5-FU n = 181
Median progression free survival (months) (95% CI) Adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) *p-value	11.4 (10.1-14.0)	8.3 (7.4-9.1)
0.70 (0.55-0.89) 0.0042
Median survival (months) (95% CI) Hazard ratio (95% CI) **p-value	18.6 (15.7-24.0)	14.5 (11.6-18.7)
0.72 (0.56-0.93) 0.0128
Best overall response to chemotherapy (%) (95% CI) ***p-value	67.8 (60.4-74.6)	53.6 (46.0-61.0)
0.006
Best overall response to study treatment [chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy] (%) (95% CI) ***p-value	72.3 (65.1-78.8)	58.6 (51.0-65.8)
0.006
Median duration of response to chemotherapy ± radiotherapy (months) (95% CI) Hazard ratio (95% CI) **p-value	n = 128 15.7 (13.4-24.6)	n = 106 11.7 (10.2-17.4)
0.72 (0.52-0.99) 0.0457

A hazard ratio of less than 1 favours Docetaxel + Cisplatin + 5-FU
*Cox model (adjustment for Primary tumour site, T and N clinical stages and PSWHO)
**Logrank test
*** Chi-square test
Quality of life parameters
Patients treated with TPF experienced significantly less deterioration of their Global health score compared to those treated with PF (p = 0.01, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale).
Clinical benefit parameters
The performance status scale, for head and neck (PSS-HN) subscales designed to measure understandability of speech, ability to eat in public, and normalcy of diet, was significantly in favour of TPF as compared to PF.
Median time to first deterioration of WHO performance status was significantly longer in the TPF arm compared to PF. Pain intensity score improved during treatment in both groups indicating adequate pain management.
• Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (TAX324)
The safety and efficacy of Docetaxel in the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) was evaluated in a randomized, multicentre open-label, phase III study (TAX324). In this study, 501 patients, with locally advanced SCCHN, and a WHO performance status of 0 or 1, were randomized to one of two arms. The study population comprised patients with technically unresectable disease, patients with low probability of surgical cure

and patients aiming at organ preservation. The efficacy and safety evaluation solely addressed survival endpoints and the success of organ preservation was not formally addressed. Patients on the Docetaxel arm received Docetaxel (T) 75mg/m² by intravenous infusion on day 1 followed by Cisplatin (P) 100mg/m² administered as a 30-minute to three-hour intravenous infusion, followed by the continuous intravenous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (F) 1000mg/m²/day from day 1 to day 4. The cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. All patients who did not have progressive disease were to receive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as per protocol (TPF/CRT). Patients on the comparator arm received Cisplatin (P) 100mg/m² as a 30-minute to three-hour intravenous infusion on day 1 followed by the continuous intravenous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (F) 1000mg/m²/day from day 1 to day 5. The cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. All patients who did not have progressive disease were to receive CRT as per protocol (PF/CRT).
Patients in both treatment arms were to receive 7 weeks of CRT following induction chemotherapy with a minimum interval of 3 weeks and no later than 8 weeks after start of the last cycle (day 22 to day 56 of last cycle). During radiotherapy, Carboplatin (AUC 1.5) was given weekly as a one-hour intravenous infusion for a maximum of 7 doses. Radiation was delivered with megavoltage equipment using once daily fractionation (2 Gy per day, 5 days per week for 7 weeks, for a total dose of 70-72 Gy). Surgery on the primary site of disease and/or neck could be considered at anytime following completion of CRT. All patients on the Docetaxel-containing arm of the study received prophylactic antibiotics. The primary efficacy endpoint in this study, overall survival (OS) was significantly longer (log-rank test, p = 0.0058) with the Docetaxel-containing regimen compared to PF (median OS: 70.6 versus 30.1 months respectively), with a 30% risk reduction in mortality compared to PF (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.54-0.90) with an overall median follow up time of 41.9 months. The secondary endpoint, PFS, demonstrated a 29% risk reduction of progression or death and a 22 month improvement in median PFS (35.5 months for TPF and 13.1 for PF). This was also statistically significant with an HR of 0.71; 95% CI 0.56-0.90; log-rank test p = 0.004. Efficacy results are presented in the table below:
Efficacy of Docetaxel in the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced SCCHN (Intent-to-Treat Analysis)

Endpoint	Docetaxel + Cis + 5-FU n = 255	Cis + 5-FU n = 246
Median overall survival (months) (95% CI) Hazard ratio: (95% CI) *p-value	70.6 (49.0-NA)	30.1 (20.9-51.5)
0.70 (0.54-0.90) 0.0058
Median PFS (months) (95% CI) Hazard ratio: (95% CI) **p-value	35.5 (19.3-NA)	13.1 (10.6 - 20.2)
0.71 (0.56 - 0.90) 0.004
Best overall response (CR + PR) to chemotherapy (%) (95% CI) ***p-value	71.8 (65.8-77.2)	64.2 (57.9-70.2)
0.070
Best overall response (CR + PR) to study treatment [chemotherapy +/- chemoradiotherapy] (%) (95%CI) ***p-value	76.5 (70.8-81.5)	71.5 (65.5-77.1)
0.209

hazard ratio of less than 1 favours Docetaxel + Cisplatin + Fluorouracil
*un-adjusted log-rank test
**un-adjusted log-rank test, not adjusted for multiple comparisons
***Chi square test, not adjusted for multiple comparisons
NA-not applicable

Absorption
The pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel have been evaluated in cancer patients after administration of 20-115mg/m2 in phase I studies. The kinetic profile of Docetaxel is dose independent and consistent with a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model with half-lives for the α, β and γ phases of 4 min, 36 min and 11.1 h, respectively. The late phase is due, in part, to a relatively slow efflux of Docetaxel from the peripheral compartment.

Distribution
Following the administration of a 100mg/m2 dose given as a one-hour infusion a mean peak plasma level of 3.7μg/ml was obtained with a corresponding AUC of 4.6 h.μg/ml. Mean values for total body clearance and steady-state volume of distribution were 21 l/h/m2 and 113 l, respectively. Inter individual variation in total body clearance was approximately 50%. Docetaxel is more than 95% bound to plasma proteins.

Elimination
A study of 14C-Docetaxel has been conducted in three cancer patients. Docetaxel was eliminated in both the urine and faeces following cytochrome P450-mediated oxidative metabolism of the tert-butyl ester group, within seven days, the urinary and faecal excretion accounted for about 6% and 75% of the administered radioactivity, respectively. About 80% of the radioactivity recovered in faeces is excreted during the first 48 hours as one major inactive metabolite and 3 minor inactive metabolites and very low amounts of unchanged medicinal product.

Special populations
Age and gender
A population pharmacokinetic analysis has been performed with Docetaxel in 577 patients. Pharmacokinetic parameters estimated by the model were very close to those estimated from phase I studies. The pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel were not altered by the age or sex of the patient.

Hepatic impairment
In a small number of patients (n = 23) with clinical chemistry data suggestive of mild to moderate liver function impairment (ALT, AST ≥ 1.5 times the ULN associated with Alkaline Phosphatase ≥ 2.5 times the ULN), total clearance was lowered by 27% on average (see section 4.2).

Fluid retention
Docetaxel clearance was not modified in patients with mild to moderate fluid retention and there are no data available in patients with severe fluid retention.
Combination therapy
Doxorubicin
When used in combination, Docetaxel does not influence the clearance of Doxorubicin and the plasma levels of Doxorubicinol (a Doxorubicin metabolite). The pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide were not influenced by their coadministration.
Capecitabine
Phase I study evaluating the effect of Capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel and vice versa

showed no effect by Capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel (Cmax and AUC) and no effect by Docetaxel on the pharmacokinetics of a relevant Capecitabine metabolite 5’-DFUR.
Cisplatin
Clearance of Docetaxel in combination therapy with Cisplatin was similar to that observed following monotherapy. The pharmacokinetic profile of Cisplatin administered shortly after Docetaxel infusion is similar to that observed with Cisplatin alone.
Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil
The combined administration of Docetaxel, Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in 12 patients with solid tumours had no influence on the pharmacokinetics of each individual medicinal product.
Prednisone and Dexamethasone
The effect of Prednisone on the pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel administered with standard Dexamethasone premedication has been studied in 42 patients.
Prednisone
No effect of Prednisone on the pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel was observed.

The carcinogenic potential of Docetaxel has not been studied.
Docetaxel has been shown to be mutagenic in the in vitro micronucleus and chromosome aberration test in CHO-K1 cells and in the in vivo micronucleus test in the mouse. However, it did not induce mutagenicity in the Ames test or the CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay. These results are consistent with the pharmacological activity of Docetaxel.
Undesirable effects on the test is observed in rodent toxicity studies suggest that Docetaxel may impair male fertility.

6.1 List of excipients
Polysorbate 80
Ethanol anhydrous
Citric acid anhydrous

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

Unopened vial 24 months After opening of the vial Each vial is for single use and should be used immediately after opening. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user. Once added to the infusion bag From a microbiological point of view, dilution must take place in controlled and aseptic conditions and the medicinal product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user. Once added as recommended into the infusion bag, the Docetaxel infusion solution, if stored below 25°C, is stable for 6 hours. It should be used within 6 hours (including the one-hour infusion intravenous administration). The infusion solution must not be coupled to the infusion set for more than 8 h at 25°C. In addition, physical and chemical in-use stability of the infusion solution prepared as recommended has been demonstrated in non-PVC bags up to 48 hours when stored between 2° to 8°C.

Do not store above 25°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
For storage conditions of the diluted medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Clear glass (type I) vial with fluorotec plus (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene film) rubber stopper and aluminium seal and a red flip-off cap, containing 4ml of concentrate.
Each box contains one vial.

Docetaxel is an antineoplastic agent and, as with other potentially toxic compounds, caution should be exercised when handling it and preparing Docetaxel Accord solutions. The use of gloves is recommended.
If Docetaxel Accord concentrate or infusion solution should come into contact with skin, wash immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If Docetaxel Accord concentrate or infusion solution should come into contact with mucous membranes, wash immediately and thoroughly with water.
Preparation for the intravenous administration
Preparation of the infusion solution
DO NOT use other Docetaxel medicinal products consisting of 2 vials (concentrate and solvent)
with this medicinal product which contains only 1 vial of concentrate. Docetaxel Accord 80mg/4 ml concentrate for solution for infusion requires NO prior dilution with a solvent and is ready to add to the infusion solution.
Each vial is of single use and should be used immediately.
If the vials are stored under refrigeration, allow the required number of boxes of Docetaxel Accord concentrate for solution for infusion to stand below 25°C for 5 minutes before use. More than one vial of Docetaxel Accord concentrate for solution for infusion may be necessary to obtain the required dose for the patient.
Aseptically withdraw the required amount of Docetaxel Accord concentrate for solution for infusion using a calibrated syringe.
In Docetaxel Accord 80mg/4ml vial the concentration of Docetaxel is 20mg/ml.
The required volume of Docetaxel Accord concentrate for solution for infusion must be injected via a single injection (one shot) into a 250ml infusion bag containing either 5% glucose solution or sodium chloride 9mg/ml (0.9%) solution for infusion.

If a dose greater than 190mg of Docetaxel is required, use a larger volume of the infusion vehicle so that a concentration of 0.74mg/ml Docetaxel is not exceeded.
Mix the infusion bag manually using a rocking motion.
The infusion bag solution should be used within 6 hours below 25°C including the one-hour infusion to the patient.
As with all parenteral products, Docetaxel Accord infusion solution should be visually inspected prior to use, solutions containing a precipitate should be discarded.
Docetaxel infusion solution is supersaturated and may therefore crystallize over time. If crystals appear, the solution must no longer be used and shall be discarded.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.