Cabazitaxel

Cabazitaxel (Cabxel®)

🔴 Red Flag (Important) Information

Severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia are common and potentially fatal → baseline and frequent FBC monitoring mandatory
Primary G-CSF prophylaxis is strongly recommended in high-risk patients (elderly, prior neutropenia, poor performance status)
Treatment-related mortality has been reported, especially in patients with poor marrow reserve
Severe diarrhoea and dehydration can occur → early recognition and aggressive supportive care required
Avoid in severe hepatic impairment → significantly increased toxicity
Hypersensitivity reactions possible → mandatory premedication with corticosteroid + antihistamine


🔹 1. Basic Information

Generic name: Cabazitaxel
Class: Taxane (microtubule inhibitor)
Formulation: Concentrate for solution for intravenous infusion
Strength: 60 mg vial
Route: Intravenous (IV infusion)

Mechanism of Action:
Cabazitaxel is a taxane that inhibits microtubule depolymerisation, leading to disruption of mitosis and tumour cell death. It retains activity in tumours resistant to docetaxel.


🔹 2. Indications (FULL – as per PI)

Prostate Cancer

Cabazitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
who have previously been treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen,
in combination with prednisone or prednisolone.


🔹 3. Dosing & Administration

Standard dose:
25 mg/m² IV infusion every 3 weeks

Given in combination with:
Prednisone or prednisolone 10 mg orally daily

Administration notes:
• Infuse over 1 hour
• Must be administered by experienced oncology personnel
• Premedication required before each dose:
– Corticosteroid
– Antihistamine (H1 antagonist)
– H2 antagonist

Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.


🔹 4. Dose Modifications

Haematological toxicity:
• Delay treatment if ANC < 1.5 × 10⁹/L
• Reduce dose to 20 mg/m² after:
– Febrile neutropenia
– Prolonged grade ≥3 neutropenia

Non-haematological toxicity:
• Grade ≥3 diarrhoea or other severe toxicity → withhold until recovery, then resume at reduced dose

Hepatic impairment:
• Mild impairment: dose reduction required
• Moderate–severe impairment: contraindicated


🔹 5. Co-medications

Mandatory:
• Prednisone / prednisolone 10 mg daily

Supportive:
• G-CSF prophylaxis (strongly recommended in high-risk patients)
• Antidiarrhoeals (early use encouraged)

Avoid / caution:
• Strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers
• Live vaccines during treatment


🔹 6. Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to cabazitaxel or polysorbate 80
• Baseline neutrophil count < 1.5 × 10⁹/L
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Concomitant live vaccines


🔹 7. Monitoring Requirements

Before each cycle:
• Full blood count (mandatory)
• Liver function tests
• Renal function

During treatment:
• Monitor for fever, infection, diarrhoea, dehydration
• Monitor weight, performance status
• PSA and clinical response monitoring


🔹 8. Side Effects & Management

Very common (>10%)
• Neutropenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia
• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting
• Fatigue, asthenia

Common (1–10%)
• Febrile neutropenia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Renal impairment
• Haematuria

Serious / life-threatening
• Sepsis
• Severe diarrhoea with dehydration
• Treatment-related death

Management:
• Early G-CSF use
• Prompt antibiotics for fever
• Aggressive IV fluids if diarrhoea occurs
• Dose reduction or discontinuation if recurrent toxicity


🔹 9. Use in Special Populations

Elderly: Higher risk of neutropenia → consider G-CSF
Renal impairment: Use with caution
Hepatic impairment: Contraindicated if severe
Women / paediatrics: Not indicated


🔹 10. Duration of Use / When to Stop the Drug

Continue until:
• Radiological or clinical disease progression, or
• Unacceptable toxicity

Permanently discontinue if:
• Life-threatening neutropenia despite dose reduction
• Severe hypersensitivity reaction
• Persistent grade ≥3 toxicity despite optimal management

 

https://pi-pil-repository.sahpra.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Final_PI_Cabxel_Applicant.pdf

Trade Name
Drug Class 1
Cost
Email
Company
Drug Rep Admin
Indications Prostate Cancer
Dosage

Indications (Detailed)

Prostate Cancer: Metastatic
Websites:
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