European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PACLITAXEL AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN CANCER THERAPY

Biprojit Bhowmick*, Sourav Pal, Koyel Mandal, Dr. Khokan Bera, Saikat Maji and Hiranmoy Bera

ABSTRACT

Paclitaxel is a broad-spectrum anticancer chemical obtained mostly from medicinal plants, specifically the bark of the yew tree Taxus brevifolia Nutt. It belongs to the diterpene taxanes class, which is today the most often used chemotherapeutic drug against many types of cancer. It has been shown in studies to have anticancer action against ovarian, lung, and breast malignancies. Paclitaxel, a taxane with microtubule stabilising properties, has remained the standard of treatment for primary ovarian cancer management. Taxanes with improved safety profiles and increased intra-tumor cytotoxicity have yet to outperform the original molecule in clinical trials. The mechanisms of PTX action illustrate the various ways in which PTX influences cellular functions, ultimately leading to programmed cell death. In addition, PTX is commonly utilised as a first-line therapy medicine for breast cancer (BC). Factors contributing to PTX resistance, such as ABC transporters, micro-RNAs (miRNAs), or mutations in specific genes, as well as PTX side effects such as peripheral neuropathy or hypersensitivity associated with the vehicle used to overcome its poor solubility, are driving extensive research into PTX use in preclinical and clinical studies.

Keywords: Ovarian cancer, breast cancer, anti-cancer therapy, Paclitaxel, nanomedicine, phytochemicals.