Related to this topic: Equipment | Books | Your Experience | Other resources | Glossaries
Print options: Other options: (what's this?)

PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.

Taxanes

Taxanes were discovered in the mid 1960's and acquired from the bark of the Pacific Yew Tree. However, their clinical efficacy in ovarian cancer was only discovered in the last two decades.

Method of Action

Taxanes halt the function of microtubules (thereby preventing the creation of spindles) during mitosis.

Members of this group

Paclitaxel and docetaxel.

Indications

NICE guidance for ovarian cancer¹

Paclitaxel with platinum based chemotherapy agents or platinum based therapy alone is first-line in ovarian cancer.
If ovarian cancer recurs then first line therapy can be repeated - but not if paclitaxel used first line.
However, if paclitaxel was not used in first line treatment it can be used in recurrence.

NICE guidance for metastatic breast cancer²

Paclitaxel or docetaxel is recommended for breast cancer when initial chemotherapy fails (must have included an anthracycline).
Paclitaxel is not recommended early breast cancer (node-positive).
Docetaxel (given with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) is recommended in early node-positive breast cancer.

Other uses

Non-small cell lung cancer - with cisplatin.
Kaposi's sarcoma - if liposomal anthracyclines have failed.³
Docetaxel - uses as above and also hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

Cautions and contraindications

Hepatic impairment

Important interactions

Phenytoin absorption decreased - increased risk of seizures.
Possible interaction with between erythromycin and docetaxel.

Side effects

Myelosuppression
Hypersensitivity reactions - these are common and routine premedication with antihistamines, H2 receptor antagonist and steroids is given⁴
Nausea and vomiting
Arrhythmias
Alopecia
Myalgia
Peripheral neuropathy
Docetaxel - associated with fluid retention which may be difficult to treat. Dexamethasone is recommended.⁴

Administration

Both drugs are given by intravenous infusion.

Document References

Ovarian cancer - paclitaxel, NICE (2003)
NICE; Docetaxel for the adjuvant treatment of early node-positive breast cancer: Sept 2006.
Stebbing J, Wildfire A, Portsmouth S, et al; Paclitaxel for anthracycline-resistant AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: clinical and angiogenic correlations.; Ann Oncol. 2003 Nov;14(11):1660-6. [abstract]
British National Formulary British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. London.

AcknowledgementsEMIS is grateful to Dr Gurvinder Rull for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2007.
DocID: 417
Document Version: 2
DocRef: bgp25231
Last Updated: 11 Oct 2007
Review Date: 10 Oct 2008

Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
A-Z of UK Guidelines
A-Z of Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

^ Top of Page

Medical equipment products related to this topic (^ top of page)

Visit the Patient UK Medical Equipment shop

Books related to this topic (^ top of page)

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Would you like to try our advanced on-line knowledge support system designed to provide professionals with relevant up to date information about recognition and management of disease or take the Mentor Challenge?

Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site

PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

^ Top of Page