Targeted taxane delivery systems. Recent advances.

Taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are among the most active cytotoxic agents in use in oncology, being widely used in adjuvant and advanced treatment settings in multiple tumor types. Due to the impressive benefits offered by the taxanes, different strategies are in development, aimed at reducing their systemic toxicity and the need for premedication, while improving anti-tumor spectra and treatment efficacy. Although a remarkable amount of effort has been aimed at overcoming delivery difficulties, very few compounds have reached clinical trials, and some of those few have failed advanced trials. This mini-review reports the most recent developments in advanced taxane delivery approaches, with particular focus on receptor-targeted delivery systems.