title: ["Taxanes: an action mechanism at the cellular level, significant clinical progress in the treatment of cancers of the ovary and breast"].
abstract: The past decade has witnessed the development of a new class of cytotoxic agents with a new mechanism of action: the Taxanes. These compounds promote tubulin assembly in microtubules and inhibit their depolymerisation; as a result, they compromise a number of vital cellular functions in which microtubules play a critical role; of note, is the fact that they seem to be relatively "p53 independent", contrary to many cytotoxic agents in current clinical use. Taxol represents a "breakthrough" in the treatment of ovarian cancer, and Taxotere is a major step forward in the treatment of breast cancer. The Jules Bordet Institute has actively contributed to the clinical development of these two compounds in these two indications.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Piccart
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012107:Research Design; D043823:Taxoids