Modern and minimally invasive formulations with paclitaxel

Paclitaxel (also known as taxol) is a taxane-derived chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of various cancers. The molecule was first isolated from yew in 1971 and was approved for medical use in 1993. It is on the World Health Organization List of Essential Medicines. Paclitaxel is used to treat ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, cervical cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Its administration is generally intravenous and it is provided by the pharmaceutical industry in various formulations, especially infusion solutions. The predominant side effects of paclitaxel therapy are bone marrow suppression, hair loss, numbness, allergic reactions, muscle pain, and diarrhea. Other common side effects are cardiac problems, pulmonary inflammation, as well as an increased risk of infection. To reduce side effects as well as the loss of active substance due to uneven diffusion throughout the body, studies in the field of interventional radiology have proposed the use of both synthetic and biosynthetic polymers, to introduce paclitaxel in the form of microparticles, for targeted effect. Paclitaxel is also used as an antiproliferative agent to prevent restenosis of coronary and peripheral stents; administered locally to the artery wall, it limits the growth of neointima (scar tissue) in stents. The advantages of paclitaxel-coated balloons are significant, leading to an improvement in the quality of life for patients with vascular disease as well as a reduction of the side effects associated with both chemotherapy and other involved diseases.