How Do Antineoplastic Antimicrotubular (Taxanes) Work?

Antineoplastic antimicrotubular taxanes are a class of drugs used to treat various types of cancers including breast, lung, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. They belong to a family of drugs called “taxanes,” a type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). A taxane is a type of mitotic inhibitor and antimicrotubule agent that interfere with the microtubules (cellular structures that help move chromosomes during mitosis), thus preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Antineoplastic antimicrotubular taxanes are administered via the intravenous (into the vein) route.

Antineoplastic antimicrotubular taxanes work in the following ways:

• They belong to a class called "chemotherapy drugs" that work by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
• They are also called “antimicrotubule agents” categorized as anticancer medications that work by killing the cancer cells.
• They block cell growth by stopping a natural process called mitosis (cell division).
• In addition, they interfere with the microtubules (cellular structures that help move chromosomes during mitosis), preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Antineoplastic antimicrotubular taxanes are used to treat conditions such as:

• Pancreatic cancer 
• Breast cancer
• Nonsmall cell lung cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin)

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle/joint pain
• Headache
• Tiredness/weakness
• Mouth sores
• Loss of appetite
• Taste changes
• Constipation
• Pain, redness, swelling, hardness, or itching at the injection site
• Other rare side effects include:
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss
• Hair loss
• Shortness of breath
• Chills, sore throat, fever, or cough
• Chest pain/tightness
• Numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet
• Low white blood cell count 
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Insomnia (trouble falling and/or staying asleep)
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Irregular/slow heartbeat
• Peripheral neuropathy (a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord [peripheral nerves])

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of antineoplastic antimicrotubular taxanes include:

• Docefrez
• Docetaxel
• Oraxol (Pending Food and Drug Administration [FDA] Approval)
• Paclitaxel
• Paclitaxel/encequidar (Pending FDA Approval)
• Taxol
• Taxotere