Docetaxel for the post-surgery treatment of patients with node-positive breast cancer

Abstract

Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces risk of relapse and cancer-related mortality in early stage breast cancer. Over the last decade, taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) have been incorporated into various adjuvant trials and have demonstrated a significant benefit in the management of early stage breast cancer. Clinical trials using combinations of taxanes with targeted therapy have also shown considerable activity in breast cancer. This article reviews the pharmacology of docetaxel, a semi-synthetic taxane, and the clinical trials supporting its use in patients with node-positive breast cancer. © 2008 Dove Medical Press Limited. All rights reserved.