Taxol: a unique antineoplastic agent with significant activity in advanced ovarian epithelial neoplasms
Article Abstract:
The effectiveness and safety of the medication taxol in treating ovarian cancer was assessed in 47 patients with ovarian cancer who had not responded to other anticancer agents. Patient response to taxol was observed in 40 women, whereas toxicity was evaluated in 45 patients. The women were given varying doses of taxol every 22 days in an infusion lasting 24 hours; they had been tested before the study for increased sensitivity to the drug. Twelve patients responded to (were helped by) taxol therapy for periods ranging from 3 to 15 months. The major toxic effect of taxol was myelosuppression, the decreased formation of bone marrow cells. The leukocytes or white blood cells were the most adversely affected, and bone marrow toxicity worsened with increasing doses. Leukopenia, an abnormal decrease in white blood cells, lasted a short time, but in three women it occurred with sepsis, the bacterial contamination of the blood; two of these patients died from the sepsis. Other unfavorable effects of taxol included muscle and joint pain, hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the mucous membranes, and disease of the peripheral nervous system. Less frequent side effects included heart and central nervous system toxicity. The results show that taxol is active against ovarian cancer, and its use with other anti-cancer agents should be investigated further. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Article Abstract:
Paclitaxel (Taxol) is a promising new anti-cancer drug whose increased use will require new methods of synthesizing the chemical. It is a natural component of the bark of the Pacific yew, but this tree is rare and slow-growing. Paclitaxel inhibits cell growth by interfering with the function of microtubules. Side effects include a drop in white blood cells, allergic reactions, numbness of hands and feet and slow heartbeat. Response rates in patients with ovarian cancer have been fairly high, especially when the drug is combined with cisplatin. It has also been effective in metastatic breast cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, squamous-cell head and neck cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer and esophageal cancer. Drug trials in patients with prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and stomach cancer have been less impressive. Paclitaxel can now be synthesized from chemicals in the needles of more common yew species.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Tissue is the issue: is endoscopic ultrasonography with or without fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the staging of non-small-cell lung cancer an advance?
Article Abstract:
An imaging technique called endoscopic ultrasonography may have some value in defining the scope of potentially cancerous lesions along the spine but tissue sampling also needs to be performed to confirm the identification. Distinctions between cancer stages can be important when planning treatment. One study has shown that tissue sampling guided by endoscopic ultrasound or imaging alone can be quite accurate in defining cancer stages. However, several lesions were never sampled to confirm the researchers' identification. Other imaging and surgical techniques have also been developed to help in the staging process.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: