Docetaxel (Taxotere): single agent activity, development of combination treatment and reducing side-effects.

Docetaxel is a new semi-synthetic taxoid, which acts as an antimicrotubule agent and is now clinically available. Clinical studies of docetaxel as a single agent and in combination with other cytotoxic drugs reveals favourable response rates in a number of solid tumor types. Docetaxel appears to have great potential in advanced breast cancer as first or secondline chemotherapy. The dose-limiting toxicity is an early and short-lasting neutropenia. Fluid retention is a cumbersome, sometimes disabling, side-effect. Other side-effects are usually mild and include alopecia, myalgia, mucostitis, neuropathy, hypersensitivity reaction, nail changes and cutaneous reactions.