Taxanes - Anticancer Drugs with Unique Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Taxanes (taxoids) are a new group of compounds with a significant anticancer activity. These compounds are mainly used for therapy of breast and ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel and docetaxel, two representatives of these anticancer drugs, are natural products extracted from Taxus brevifolia and T. baccata L., respectively. Taxanes exhibit a unique mechanism of action. They prevent depolymerization of microtubules, important proteins in cell proliferation. Taxanes rank among the so-called mitotic poisons: docetaxel is mainly active in the S phase, while paclitaxel in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Metabolism of paclitaxel in humans is different from that in experimental animals. Major human metabolite of paclitaxel is 6?-hydroxypaclitaxel. Formation of this metabolite is catalyzed by CYP2C8, while the CYP3A subfamily mediates formation of minor metabolites of paclitaxel. Docetaxel is metabolized in humans and rats in the same way; therefore, rats are a suitable model for studies of docetaxel metabolism in humans. The major metabolite is hydroxydocetaxel. CYP3As were identified as the enzymes participating in metabolism of docetaxel in both species. The review summarizes data concerning the mechanism of action of taxanes and their metabolism. Additional information on metabolic transformation of these anticancer drugs may serve for potential improvement of their chemotherapeutic efficiencies.