Potential for improvement of docetaxel-based chemotherapy: a pharmacological review

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602698

British Journal of Cancer (2005) 93, 173–177. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602698 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 12 July 2005

Potential for improvement of docetaxel-based chemotherapy: a pharmacological review

F K Engels¹, A Sparreboom^1,2, R A A Mathot³ and J Verweij¹

¹Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC - Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center Rotterdam, Groene Hilledijk 301, 3075 EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
²Clinical Pharmacology Research Core, Medical Oncology Clinical Research Unit, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
³Department of Hospital Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Correspondence: FK Engels, E-mail: f.engels@erasmusmc.nl

Received 11 May 2005; Revised 9 June 2005; Accepted 10 June 2005; Published online 12 July 2005.

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Abstract

Since the introduction of docetaxel, research has focused on various approaches to overcome treatment limitations and improve outcome. This review discusses the pharmacological attempts at treatment optimisation, which include reducing interindividual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability, optimising schedule, route of administration, reversing drug resistance and the development of structurally related second-generation taxanes.