Docetaxel serum protein binding with high affinity to alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein

The binding of docetaxel to human plasma proteins was studied by ultrafiltration at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. Docetaxel was extensively (> 98%) plasma protein bound. At clinically relevant concentrations (1-5 mu g/ml), the plasma binding was concentration-independent. Lipoproteins, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein and albumin were the main carriers of docetaxel in plasma, and owing to the high interindividual variability of alpha, acid glycoprotein plasma concentration, particularly in cancer, it was concluded that alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein should be the main determinant of docetaxel plasma binding variability. Drugs potentially coadministered with docetaxel (cisplatin, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, etoposide, vinblastine) did not modify the plasma binding of docetaxel. In blood, docetaxel was found to be mainly located in the plasma compartment (less than 15% associated to erythrocytes).