Cytoxan and Taxotere

Ma will get 4 cycles of Cytoxan and Taxotere given every 3 weeks.

Cytoxan (generic name Cyclophasphamide) is classified as an alkylating agent. It kills cells while they are in their resting phase (vs. growing or dividing phase). It is a mustard gas derivative. Clinical trials using Cytoxan began in the late '50s.

Taxotere (generic name Docetaxel) is a plant alkaloid, taxane, and antimicrotubule agent. Plant alkaloid means it's made from plants. Taxanes are made from the bark of the yew tree (taxus). The related drug Taxol was developed first using the Pacific yew tree, and clinical trials began in the mid-1980s. But large quantities of the bark are required to produce the drug. Taxotere, derived from the more-readily available European yew, was developed in response. Being antimicrotubule means it inhibits the microtubule structures of cells, the part responsible for dividing and replicating. Simply put, it kills the cells while they're dividing.

Both Cytoxan and Taxotere have a long list of side effects, among them:

• Low blood counts (white, red and platelets)
• Hair loss
• Nausea & vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Neuropathy
• Fatigue

Fortunately, most of the side effects can be controlled.

Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss? Because the drugs can't distinguish between "normal" cells and cancerous cells, they end up attacking both types.