Taxanes
Taxanes
Taxanes (pronounced: /ˈtæksænz/) are a class of drugs used in chemotherapy. They were discovered in the 1960s and are derived from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia).
Etymology
The term "Taxanes" is derived from the genus name of the yew tree, Taxus, and the suffix "-ane" which is used in organic chemistry to denote a particular type of compound.
Description
Taxanes are diterpenes produced by the plants of the genus Taxus (Yew). Originally derived from the Pacific Yew tree, they are now synthesized artificially. Their primary function is to disrupt microtubule growth, thereby preventing cell division, and promoting programmed cell death, or apoptosis.
Types of Taxanes
There are two primary types of taxanes used in chemotherapy: Paclitaxel and Docetaxel.
- Paclitaxel (pronounced: /ˈpækliːtæksɛl/), originally branded as Taxol, is used to treat various types of cancer including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.
- Docetaxel (pronounced: /doʊˈsɛtæksɛl/), originally branded as Taxotere, is used to treat many of the same cancers as paclitaxel, but is also used in the treatment of stomach, prostate, and head and neck cancers.
Related Terms
- Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide.
- Microtubule: A microscopic cellular structure that is involved in many important functions, including cell division and intracellular transport.
- Apoptosis: A form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.
- Diterpenes: A type of hydrocarbon found in certain plants, particularly conifers and flowering plants.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Taxanes
- Wikipedia's article - Taxanes
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