Recent progress in the development of docetaxel and paclitaxel analogues

Abstract

Docetaxel (Taxotere^®, Sanofi-Aventis) and paclitaxel (Taxol^®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) are potent anticancer agents commonly used for the treatment of breast, ovarian and other cancers. Chemotherapy with these compounds gives undesirable side effects due to their low solubility and to the lack of selectivity for cancer cells. Studies have been performed to solve these problems and to find more potent taxoids on drug-resistant cancers. This review summarises the progress in these areas as reported in recent patent applications on docetaxel and paclitaxel analogues that have been published between January 2003 and December 2005. The review specifically focuses on new methods for the production of taxoids, new potent analogues, including taxoid conjugates with improved solubility, tumour targeting taxoids and prodrugs, combinations with new anticancer agents and taxoid formulation and delivery.

Keywords::

• antimitotic drug
• docetaxel
• paclitaxel
• taxoid
• Taxol^®
• Taxotere^®
• taxane

Acknowledgements

Dedicated to the memory of Pierre Potier.