22–23 Jul 2026
Heidelberg Congress Center
Europe/Berlin timezone

Preliminary pharmacokinetic findings of integrating body composition & physical activity to predict paclitaxel induced dose-limiting toxicities in women with breast cancer: the PABTOX trial.

23 Jul 2026, 11:45
1h 15m
Heidelberg Congress Center ( Heidelberg Congress Center )

Heidelberg Congress Center

Heidelberg Congress Center

Czernyring 20 69115 Heidelberg Germany
1 - Scientific Poster Poster Session

Speaker

Prof. Nele ADRIAENSSENS (Rehabilitation Research (RERE) group of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) - Laarbeeklaan 121, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Medical Oncology Department of Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium)

Description

Background:
Paclitaxel (PTX) frequently causes dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), notably chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia, leading to reduced relative dose intensity (RDI). Body-surface-area dosing overlooks inter-individual variation in pharmacokinetics (PK), body composition, and physical activity (PA), potentially resulting in under- or overdosing, increased DLT risk, and reduced RDI, impacting the prognostic outcome.
Objective:
To explore whether favorable body composition and higher PA are associated with reduced PTX-related toxicities, and whether these associations are mediated by individual differences in PTX-PK, using data from the 20 participants of the PABTOX observational cohort.
Methods:
Women with stage I–IV breast cancer receiving weekly PTX (80 mg/m²; 12 cycles) are assessed at baseline (T0), cycle 3 (T1), cycle 6 (T2), cycle 9 (T3), and cycle 12 (T4). PK sampling occurs at T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4 at two timepoints (post-infusion ~10 min; 16–26 h) to determine PTX blood concentrations and half-life (Cmax and time > 0.05 µmol/L). Body composition is analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis at T0, T2, T3, and T4. PA is assessed by 7-day accelerometry and a validated questionnaire at T0, T2, T3 and T4. DLTs are graded each cycle (using the CTCAE v5.0).
Results:
Ongoing analyses will report PTX exposure distributions, and associations between skeletal muscle mass and adipose tissue, PA, PK parameters, and DLT occurence.
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings suggest that integrating PK with body composition and PA may help explain variations in PTX toxicities. The PABTOX study will further evaluate these associations, aiming for personalized supportive oncologic care.
Clinical impact:
If confirmed, incorporating body composition and PA into risk assessment could improve toxicity prediction and allow physiotherapists to identify high-risk patients, supporting timely interventions.

This trial is funded by Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer), a project of the Flemish Cancer Society (project ID: 13163).

Keywords

Keyword 1: Breast cancer
Keyword 2: Exercise-pharmacokinetics
Keyword 3: Body composition
Keyword 4: Paclitaxel

Abstract submitters declaration yes
Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval yes

Author

Prof. Nele ADRIAENSSENS (Rehabilitation Research (RERE) group of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) - Laarbeeklaan 121, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Medical Oncology Department of Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium)

Co-authors

Prof. An VERMEULEN (Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium) Prof. David BECKWEE (Rehabilitation Research (RERE), VUB; Medical Oncology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium) Dr Gil AWADA (Medical Oncology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium) Dr Len DE NYS (Rehabilitation Research (RERE), VUB; Medical Oncology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium) Dr Pieter-Jan DE SUTTER (Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium) Prof. Stephane STEURBAUT (Pharmacy Department, UZ Brussel; Vitality Research Group, VUB, Brussels, Belgium) Dr Stephanie WUYTS (Pharmacy Department, UZ Brussel) Prof. Steven PROVYN (Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy (MFYS), VUB)

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