Paclitaxel treatment for non small cell lung cancer.

Paclitaxel(Taxol) is another main drug used for treatment non small cell lung cancer, Paclitaxel has since been made by synthetically modifying an intermediate substance isolated from yew needles using toxic solvents or by fermenting cell cultures. Paclitaxel was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.

Paclitaxel is originally extracted from the bark of the Pacififc yew tree ( Taxus brevifolia) and Paclitaxel belongs to a group of chemicals called taxoids. Docetaxel , a taxoid found in the English yew tree (Taxus baccata ) ), is similar to paclitaxel in terms of chemical structure and biological action.

 60 patients fulfilling all eligibility criteria entered this study. All patients received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 as a three-hour infusion, and carboplatin dosed to an area under the concentration-time curve of seven, every three weeks. No granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was given. Of the 56 male and four female patients, the median age was 57 years (range 29 to 75 years) and the median Eastern Co-Operative Oncology Group performance status was one. Most of the patients had stage IV (34) adenocarcinoma (31) with low differentiation (28). The median number of chemotherapy cycles was three, with a range of one to eight.

There is side effect of Paclitaxel, Suppression of bone marrow function is the principal adverse side effect associated with paclitaxel treatment. Blood tests will allow a doctor to determine if there is adequate bone marrow function to begin or continue treatment. Hypersensitivity may also occur during treatment. Premedication is administered prior to treatment to help alleviate this side effect. Additional side effects, including fever , infection, nausea, vomiting, increase or decrease in blood pressure, diarrhea , weight loss , pain, and hair loss (alopecia) may occur.