Abstract 1894P
Background
Several systemic anti-cancer therapies, including paclitaxel contain alcohol as a solvent, which may pose a risk to those who drive home after treatment. This study aimed to provide a better understanding of the effect of ethanol diluent on breath alcohol concentration in an Irish population.
Methods
In this prospective study, patients attending the Oncology Day Unit at Beaumont Hospital were invited to participate on their treatment day. Breath alcohol concentration was measured using the Alcosense™ breathalyser before and after paclitaxel infusion. The primary end-point was the number of patients who were above the legal alcohol threshold for driving in Ireland. Secondary end-points included the exploration of factors that might influence breath alcohol levels.
Results
A total of 50 patients were included over a ten month period. Median age was 56 years, 34 (68%) were female. Most (56%) had breast or oesophageal (30%) cancer. The mean BSA was 1.8m2 (range 1.51-2.29 m2). 10 (20%) had metastatic disease including 4 (8%) with hepatic spread. Mean ALT level for the three visits was 26 IU/L (range 7-63 IU/L). The infusion duration was sixty minutes for all patients. Mean paclitaxel dose was 118 mg, mean total amount of ethanol infused was 7.7g. Overall, 27 patients had a detectable breath alcohol level on at least one visit (range 4-11 mcg/100mls of breath). Mean breath alcohol level was 2 mcg/100mls of breath for overall group. A weak correlation was observed between breath alcohol level and total amount of ethanol infused. The maximum breath alcohol level recorded was 11 mcg/100mls of breath, 50% of the statutory limit for the majority of drivers and exceeding the threshold for professional, learner and novice drivers in Ireland. Table: 1894P
Pts baseline characteristics
| Detectable (n=27) | Undetectable (n=23) | Overall (n=50) | |
| Age, median (SD), years | 48 (10.5) | 67 (11) | 56 (13.5) |
| BSA, mean (SD), m2 | 1.8 (0.17) | 1.9 (0.2) | 1.8 (0.2) |
| Diagnosis, n (%) Breast Oesophageal Other | 25 (93) 2 (7) - | 3 (13) 13 (57) 7 (30) | 28 (56) 15 (30) 7 (14) |
| Metastatic disease, n (%) | 4 (15) | 6 (26) | 10 (20) |
| Taxol dose, mean (SD), mg | 135 (21.5) | 98 (14.9) | 118 (26.6) |
| Total amount of ethanol infused, mean (SD), mg | 8.8 (1.4) | 6.4 (0.97) | 7.7 (1.7) |
| Cycle at baseline, median (SD) | 3 (2) | 2 (3.2) | 2 (2.6) |
Conclusions
Although definitive conclusions are limited by relatively small numbers, it seems unlikely that weekly paclitaxel infusions pose any significant risk to patients breaching drink driving limits.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Cancer Clinical Trials and Research Unit, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.