The effect of aprepitant and dexamethasone combination on paclitaxel-induced hypersensitivity reaction.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Dexamethasone (DEX) is often administered to prevent paclitaxel (PTX)-induced hypersensitivity reactions (HSR). The DEX dose is reduced when administered in combination with aprepitant (APR). However, the influence of that dose reduction on PTX-induced HSR has not been thoroughly studied. The present authors aimed to investigate the effects of the combined administration of APR and DEX on PTX-induced HSR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients who received a three-week PTX regimen in combination with APR and DEX were retrospectively analysed. The authors compared the dose of DEX with the incidence of HSR and other toxicities. RESULTS: Patients were stratified into two groups depending on the DEX dose, > 20 mg (group D, 33 patients), and < 12 mg (group reD, 26 patients). The incidence of HSR in Groups D and reD were 51.5% (17/33) and 53.8% (14/26), respectively. The frequencies of other toxicities between the groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that although a reduction in DEX dose is possible when APR is co-administered, this does not affect the PTX-induced HSR. However, adverse effect should be closely monitored.