Paclitaxel (Taxol): a review of its antitumor activity in clinical studies Minireview

The paclitaxel represents first agent from novel class of antineoplastic drugs-taxoids. The clinical development of paclitaxel was initially hampered by hypersensitivity reactions. Current dosage regiments with premedication reduced the incidence of these side effects to less than 3%. The major dose-limiting adverse effect of paclitaxel is neutropenia. Significant activities have been reported in patients with advanced ovarian, breast, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck cancer. Combination of paclitaxel with platinum in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer has a potential to become first-line chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of this disease Long-term follow-up will also allow to determine the effect of the drug on patient survival. The promising results of this drug in the treatment of patients with other malignancies need to be confirmed in ongoing clinical studies.