Phase I study of paclitaxel (taxol) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with unresectable malignancy

A phase I trial of a 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel was conducted to identify the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with unresectable malignancy previously untreated with chemotherapy. Nineteen patients with metastatic melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer were treated with paclitaxel administered at 250, 300, 400 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. G-CSF, 5 µg/kg was given as a daily subcutaneous injection 24 hours after the completion of the infusion. Dose limiting myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy was observed at 400 mg/m2 and 350 mg/m2. Paclitaxel can be safely administered as a 24-hour infusion at 300 mg/m2 with G-CSF. Further studies of paclitaxel and G-CSF are recommended to determine a dose–response relationship in sensitive tumors.