[Level of evidence for therapeutic drug monitoring for docetaxel]

Abstract

Pharmacokinetic properties of docetaxel, an anticancer drug, are though to be interesting for therapeutic drug monitoring: high inter- and intra-variability, relationship between exposure and efficacy and especially toxicity. Moreover, the 3-weekly administration, which is the more effective scheme, is also the more toxic. However, neutropenia can be modeled and be efficiently predicted without needing plasma drug concentrations. The level evidence of therapeutic drug monitoring is thus weak regarding the possibility to adapt dose regimen without drug concentrations.