Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Detection of Targetable Alterations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using Next-generation Sequencing
05:17

Detection of Targetable Alterations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using Next-generation Sequencing

Published on: October 10, 2025

559

Taxanes, past, present, and future impact on non-small cell lung cancer

Monika Joshi1, Xin Liu, Chandra P Belani

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.

Anti-Cancer Drugs
|January 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Taxanes, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, are effective treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Newer formulations like nab-paclitaxel offer improved toxicity profiles, maintaining taxane/platinum combinations as a cornerstone therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Taxanes have demonstrated efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) since the 1990s.
  • Paclitaxel and docetaxel are established taxane agents, often used with platinum compounds.
  • Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) represents a newer generation with a potentially improved toxicity profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role and efficacy of taxanes in advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
  • To compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of different taxane formulations.
  • To discuss the potential of oral taxane formulations in NSCLC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical trials and studies on taxane-based therapies for NSCLC.
  • Analysis of data regarding single-agent and combination therapies.
  • Evaluation of toxicity profiles and emerging formulations.

Main Results:

  • Taxane/platinum combinations remain a standard treatment for advanced/metastatic NSCLC.
  • Nab-paclitaxel shows comparable efficacy to traditional taxanes with a better safety profile.
  • Single-agent docetaxel and paclitaxel are effective in the second-line setting.
  • Early-phase trials suggest feasibility of oral taxane formulations.

Conclusions:

  • Taxanes, particularly in combination with platinum agents, are crucial in advanced NSCLC management.
  • Nab-paclitaxel offers a favorable alternative due to its improved tolerability.
  • Oral taxane formulations represent a promising future direction pending regulatory approval.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer07:59

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Published on: September 8, 2023

1.8K
Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers06:02

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Published on: February 20, 2017

7.0K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.2K
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
51.7K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
8.5K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
3.2K
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
81