Taxotere (docetaxel) has been used for chemotherapy for breast cancer since the mid-1990s, and has been linked to numerous cases of alopecia, also known as hair loss. Taxotere patients who have experienced permanent alopecia have opted to file legal action against Sanofi Aventis with many of them joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL).

One of the most recent Taxotere lawsuits filed came from a woman from Tennessee who alleges she developed permanent alopecia after undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Similar to other women, plaintiff Betty D. says she was prescribed Taxotere chemotherapy treatment soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time this treatment regimen was prescribed, Betty says she and her oncologist relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by Sanofi Aventis.

She says these materials assured her and her oncologist that Taxotere was a safe and effective option for breast cancer treatment. With these benefits in mind, Betty says she underwent chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer from May 2011 to August 2011.

During the course of this treatment, Betty reportedly developed permanent and persistent hair loss on her scalp. Betty alleges she has been unable to replenish her hair and opted to file legal action after discovering other women had developed similar injuries after using Taxotere.

Overview of Taxotere Alopecia

Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs work by targeting rapidly reproducing cells and inhibit their ability to duplicate. However this also means attacking healthy cells, which often means that hair follicles are among the first groups of cells to be targeted.

Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, but permanent alopecia is rare. Still, patients say it should be noted on the drug’s warning label.

Several studies have indicated Taxotere could cause permanent alopecia, which has spurred major concern in the medical community. One of these studies was published in the 2011 American Journal of Dermatopathology, which reportedly found that patients faced an increased risk of permanent alopecia with certain chemotherapy drugs including Taxotere.

Another study was published in 2012 by the European Society for Medical Oncology, which stated “permanent and severe alopecia” was a new complication reported in conjunction with Taxotere chemotherapy. Even though growing research has indicated a correlation between Taxotere and permanent alopecia, patients say they were not made aware of the issue before they agreed to use Taxotere.

The risk of permanent alopecia was not mentioned on Taxotere’s U.S. warning label until December 2015, when the FDA issued the update after receiving reports of Taxotere permanent alopecia. The Taxotere warning label that Betty and many other patients relied on stated that hair “generally grows back” after treatment is completed.

This has allegedly not been the case for many patients, which resulted in the formation of this MDL. Betty’s Taxotere lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2740, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Betty’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

The Taxotere lawsuit states the chemotherapy drug has permanently impacted Betty’s quality of life, and she is seeking a multitude of damages including pain and suffering, negligence and failure to warn.

This Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-00728-JTM-MBN, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana.