DHP107 oral paclitaxel showed similar efficacy to intravenous paclitaxel in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, with 25% response rate versus 28.6%, and comparable survival outcomes.
- Oral paclitaxel (DHP107) achieved 25% response rate compared to 28.6% for IV paclitaxel
- Median progression-free survival was 5.5 months for oral vs 4.7 months for IV
- Side effect profiles differed: oral form caused more GI symptoms, IV caused more neuropathy and hair loss
How this compares to prior research
Intravenous paclitaxel has been a standard chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer for decades, but requires hospital visits and uses Cremophor EL as a solvent, which can cause allergic reactions. Previous research has explored oral formulations to improve convenience and potentially reduce infusion-related side effects. The OPERA study builds on this work by directly comparing an oral paclitaxel formulation to the standard IV approach in patients with HER2-negative disease.
Breast cancer prevalence trends, global data, 1990-1999
Key findings
- 72 patients were randomized 2:1 to oral DHP107 versus IV paclitaxel in a phase II trial
- Objective response rates were statistically similar: 25.0% for DHP107 and 28.6% for IV paclitaxel
- Median overall survival was 17.1 months for oral paclitaxel and 13.2 months for IV paclitaxel
What this means in practice
- Ask your oncologist whether oral paclitaxel might be an option if you need chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer
- Consider that oral chemotherapy may offer convenience but comes with different side effects, particularly gastrointestinal symptoms
- Note that both oral and IV paclitaxel showed similar effectiveness in this study, so treatment choice may depend on side effect tolerance
Frequently asked questions
What is DHP107?
DHP107 is an oral formulation of paclitaxel that does not require Cremophor EL, a solvent used in standard IV paclitaxel that can cause side effects.
How effective was oral paclitaxel compared to IV?
Both forms showed similar effectiveness, with response rates of 25% for oral and 28.6% for IV paclitaxel. Survival times were also comparable between the two groups.
What were the main side effects of oral paclitaxel?
The most common side effects were diarrhea (68.8%), nausea (64.6%), and fatigue (52.1%), which differ from IV paclitaxel\’s profile of fatigue, neuropathy, and hair loss.
Key terms explained
HER2-negative
Breast cancer that does not overexpress the HER2 protein, affecting treatment options and prognosis
Objective response rate
Percentage of patients whose tumors shrink or disappear with treatment
Progression-free survival
Time from treatment start until cancer grows or spreads
Source: OPERA: a phase II study of DHP107 (oral paclitaxel) versus intravenous paclitaxel in patients with HER2-negative recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. · DOI: pii: 5. doi: 10.1007/s10549-026-07944-2