Paclitaxel

Abstract

Paclitaxel belongs to diterpenoid compound and the main natural source of it is yew bark. Docetaxel is the main derivative of paclitaxel and artificially synthesized on the base of the structure of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel and docetaxel showed potent suppression to most solid tumors and gained the highest sales among all the antitumor drugs in the world due to its specific mechanism. The main target of paclitaxel is microtubule in cells. Compared with paclitaxel, docetaxel shows stronger affinity to tubulin and longer retention time in cells. Paclitaxel is mainly metabolized through the liver and eliminated from the body by feces. Paclitaxel showed no obvious toxic effects on main organs, and its clinical side effects include allergic reactions, nervous system damage, hematopoietic suppression, catarrh, and cardiac toxicity.