Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel
Molecular Formula: C47H51NO14
CAS Number: 33069-62-4
Application: Pharmaceuticals, Medical raw materials; Antitumors for Research and Experimental Use; Biochemistry; Natural Plant Extract; Intermediates & Fine Chemicals; Pharmaceuticals;
Description：
Paclitaxel, a natural product isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew, is effective in treating refractory metastatic ovarian cancer. Unlike any other antineoplastic agents, paclitaxel appears to have several possible mechanisms of action, including an antimicrotubule action through the promotion of tubulin polymerization and stabilization of microtubules, thereby, halting mitosis and promoting cell death. The supply of paclitaxel is limited by its low natural abundance and currently it is being manufactured by a semi-synthetic route from deacetylbaccatin Ⅲ that is isolated from the needles of the yew tree. Recent completion of two total syntheses of taxol conquered the structural complexity of the title compound and may be useful in obtaining certain closely related analogs, some of which have been found to have antitumor activity. Paclitaxel has potential uses in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and malignant melanoma.
Paclitaxel is an antineoplastic that used to treat patients with lung, ovarian, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and advanc ed forms of Kaposi's sarcoma. Paclitaxel is a mitotic inhibitor used in cancer chemotherapy. It is also used in the study of structure and function of microtubles into tubulin.
Paclitaxel is currently the only known drug that can promote microtubule polymerization and stabilize polymerized microtubules. It can only form on polymerized microtubules and does not react with non-polymerized microtubule protein dipolymers. After coming in contact with paclitaxel, cells will accumulate a large number of microtubules within themselves, which disrupts cell functions, especially cell division, which is forced to cease at the mitotic stage.
Paclitaxel is mainly used for the treatment of ovarian cancer and breast cancer. The mechanism of it includes:
1. The effects on cell microtubules/tubulin: Inhibition of microtubule depolymerization results in abnormal micro tube bundle arrangement and makes the spindle lose normal function and then induces cell death.
2. In the absence of bird triphosphate (GTP) and microtubule associated protein (MAP), it induces cells to form microtubule lack of function.
3. It significantly sensitized cancer cells to radiotherapy through blocking the cell cycle in the stage of G2 and M .
Paclitaxel is mainly metabolized through the liver and enters into the intestine with bile and then eliminated from the body by the feces (90%).
Paclitaxel is among the most active of all anticancer drugs, with significant efficacy against carcinomas of the breast, ovary, lung, head, and neck. It is combined with cisplatin in the therapy of ovarian and lung carcinomas and with doxorubicin in treating breast cancer. The major toxicity seen with paclitaxel is a dose-limitingmyelosuppression that normally presents as neutropenia. Thepreviously mentioned hypersensitivity reactions occur but aregreatly reduced by antihistamine pretreatment. Interactionwith the axonal microtubules such as that seen for the vincasalso occurs and leads to numbness and paresthesias (abnormaltouch sensations including burning and prickling). Theagent is also available as an albumin-bound formulation(Abraxane) to eliminate the need for the solubilizing agentsassociated with the hypersensitivity reactions. Other adverseeffects include bradycardia, which may progress to heartblock, alopecia, mucositis, and/or diarrhea. Paclitaxel producesmoderate nausea and vomiting that is short-lived.
