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

Anticancer Drugs. 2014 May;25(5):571-83. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000080.

Abstract

Taxanes are novel microtubule-stabilizing agents and have shown efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) since the 1990s. Paclitaxel and docetaxel have been used either as single agents or in combination with a platinum compound. The newer generation albumin-bound taxane, nab-paclitaxel, has also shown similar efficacy in advanced NSCLC, both as a single agent and in combination with a platinum compound. Nab-paclitaxel, being Cremophor EL free, appears to have a better toxicity profile than paclitaxel. Taxane/platinum combinations still remain the foundation of treatment for advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Docetaxel and paclitaxel as single agents have also shown efficacy in the second-line setting in advanced/metastatic NSCLC. Oral formulations of paclitaxel and docetaxel are of great interest, but have yet to receive regulatory approval in this disease. The phase I-II trials have shown that these formulations are feasible in the clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Taxoids / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Taxoids