The oncologist
-
Microtubule-targeting agents such as the taxanes are highly active against breast cancer and have become a cornerstone in the treatment of patients with early and advanced breast cancer. The natural epothilones and their analogs are a novel class of microtubule-stabilizing agents that bind tubulin and result in apoptotic cell death. Among this family of compounds, patupilone, ixabepilone, BMS-310705, ZK-EPO, and KOS-862 are in clinical development. ⋯ The toxicity profile of these agents consists mostly of sensory neuropathy, sometimes reversible. Neoadjuvant studies with epothilones have been conducted and a number of phase III studies in advanced breast cancer are either under way or have been recently completed. The results of these studies are eagerly awaited and it is anticipated that epothilones may become an important treatment option in patients with breast cancer.