Taxanes in head and neck cancer.
Paclitaxel and docetaxel are cytotoxic agents that act on the microtubule system and cause cell death. They are active in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. They can be combined with other cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy with acceptable toxicity. This article reviews of both docetaxel and paclitaxel data in this patient population. Taxanes do not yet have a a license for use in the standard treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in Europe.
Department Medical Oncology, Ziekenhuisnetwerk Antwerpen Campus Middelheim, Lindendreef 1, Antwerp, Belgium. Dirk.Schrijvers@zna.be
Dirk
D
Schrijvers
Jan B
JB
Vermorken
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D043823:Taxoids