title: Epothilones in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
abstract: Epothilones are a new group of microtubule-stabilizing agents that have demonstrated antitumor activity in taxane-resistant models. Taxanes remain some of the most active cytotoxic agents in current cancer therapy. Primary or acquired resistance to taxanes in tumor cells partly prevents their long-term efficacy. Certain side effects, such as myelosupression or irreversible neuropathy, can also limit prolonged taxane administration. Epothilone B (EPO906; patupilone), a natural compound, and its semisynthetic derivative, ixabepilone (BMS-247550), differ in their pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles. Ovarian cancer patients frequently relapse after first-line treatment based on platinum-taxane doublets. Therefore, epothilones might represent a therapeutic alternative in this setting. Patupilone and ixabepilone have undergone parallel clinical development, but their future role in ovarian cancer therapeutics remains ill defined.
authors.affiliation: Princess Margaret Hospital, Bras Family Drug Development Program, Division of Medical Oncology, 610 University Avenue, Room 5-700, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diaz-Padilla
authors.forename: Amit M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oza
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D034261:Epothilones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D034261:Epothilones; D050257:Tubulin Modulators