[Chemotherapy of breast cancer: focus on paclitaxel]

Paclitaxel is among the most effective agents in the treatment of breast cancer. Both as a single agent and in combinations, paclitaxel is effective as first-line therapy and as a salvage therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Paclitaxel also demonstrated efficacy in patients who received prior anthracyclin therapy and those with anthracyclin-resistant disease. In the adjuvant setting, data from randomized study have supported the sequential use of paclitaxel after therapy with doxorubicin / cyclophosphamide for patients with node-positive disease. The drug may be used in combination with other chemotherapeutical agents and immune stymulatory agents. Therapy on weekly and every-three-week schedules has been effective.