EVALUATION OF HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING PACLITAXEL

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer is considered the most prevalent malignant tumor in women worldwide. Noting that, in her lifetime, one in eight women will acquire breast cancer. On the other hand, one of the most well-known and effective chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of numerous kinds of cancer, including breast cancer, is Paclitaxel. Yet, Paclitaxel treatment is frequently associated with numerous side effects, including bone marrow suppression, which is considered one of the most detrimental hematological toxicities, resulting in a delay to receive chemotherapy and a subsequent decline in rates of success and survival.

Methodology: The study was conducted retrospectively at Hiwa Hospital, Iraq, where data of female patients diagnosed with breast cancer was collected from January 2021 till May 2022. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the hematological toxicities of breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel during four cycles.

Results: Among the 141 patients included in the study, 74 breast cancer patients had not received Filgrastim prior to baseline, whereas 67 patients had received Filgrastim before the baseline. Statistically significant differences were observed in White Blood Cell (WBC) counts between baseline and the second cycle in cancer patients receiving Paclitaxel who had received Filgrastim before the baseline. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was found in the platelet counts between baseline and the second cycle (p = 0.0001), and also between baseline and the second cycle (p = 0.001) in the same group of patients. For patients who had not received Filgrastim before the baseline, statistically significant differences in WBC counts were noted between the second and third cycles of Paclitaxel treatment. Furthermore, significant differences in platelet counts were observed in this group between baseline and the first cycle, baseline and the second cycle, as well as between baseline and the third cycle.

Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that anemia is the most prevalent hematological toxicity associated with chemotherapy in breast cancer patients receiving Paclitaxel, followed by neutropenia.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Paclitaxel, Hematological Toxicities, Neutropenia, Anemia.