TAXOL CHEMOTHERAPY

Taxol has shown to be a potent anticancer agent and has fuelled an intense research effort in recent years. It interferes with the multiplication of cancer cells and slows or stops their growth & spread in the body. Patients have so far been shown to tolerate Taxol better than other anti-cancer drugs used today, particularly due to it's relative non-toxicity. It provides a non intensive alternative to the more radical techniques of surgery and radiotherapy. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has labelled Taxol as "the best anti-cancer agent developed in the last fifteen years".

CLINICAL TRIALS

Taxol entered clinical trials in 1983 and has since been approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treatment of Breast & Ovarian cancers. Taxol has shown a remarkable activity against resistant cases of advanced ovarian and breast cancers.

Taxol is currently in Clinical Trial Phase III. The results show far are as follows:-

• During Preclinical trials, Taxol showed to have good in vitro activity against leukemia's as well as brain and lung cancers.
• During Phase I, the preclinical findings were confirmed and the optimal dose was found to be in the range 200-250 mg.m^-2 .
• During Phase II, breast cancer showed a 56% response rate whilst ovarian cancer showed a 60% response rate when Taxol was co-administed with G-CSF at higher doses.
• Also combinations of anticancer agents are being investigated and early signs show a combination of Taxol & Cis-platin being very affected against ovarian cancer/

The true potential of taxol in cancer therapy must await further experimentation and the completion of the clinical trials.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TAXOL

A more detailed account of the secondary action of Taxol is discussed in the section titled, 'Effects Of Taxol on the Cell'

The human 'side effects' attributed to Taxol Chemotherapy are as follows:-

• Nausea & Vomiting may occur, but can normally be controlled by medication.
• Mouth sores and ulcers, may occur, but again can be controlled by medication.
• Skin changes. Taxol may cause an itchy rash.
• Decreased blood counts (Bone Marrow Depression): The bone marrow is responsible for the production of blood cells and Taxol has the effect of lowering the white blood cell and platelet counts. This results in a depressed imuno-system and haemophilia.
• Numbness or tingling sensation in hands or feet, due to the effects of taxol on nerves. Improves after the treatment ceases.
• Headaches occur in some patients but can be reduced with medication.
• Joint & Muscular Pain / weakness : This may occur a few days into the treatment, but the symptoms usually disappears in less than a week.
• Alopecia (complete hair loss), almost always occurs with Taxol, but hair regrowth will occur after after the treatment is stopped.

Less common side effects:-

• Cardiac Effects : No significant effect on heart function, but there may be a drop in heart rate (bradycardia) in some patients.
• Low blood pressure
• liver may be temporarily affected due to taxol causing changes in liver function.
• Abdominal pain may occur just after treatment has stop. This is temporary and painkillers will help alleviate the pain.
• Temporary taste alterations

http://www.bmi.net/mcaron/taxol.html

http://c267b.chor.ucl.ac.be/taxol.htm

Albert, B.; Bray, D.; Lewis, J.; Raff, M.; Roberts, K.; Watson, J.D. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 1996, 3rd edn, 802-804

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