Paclitaxel Derivatives for Targeted Delivery to Cancer Cells

Abstract

Paclitaxel is an important anticancer drug, which is used for treatment of ovarian, breast and lung cancer. The paclitaxel treatment shows two main limitations – poor water solubility of the drug and lack of tumor-specificity. Conjugation of paclitaxel with specific targeting compounds might improve its effectivity and decrease undesirable side effects. This review resumes the research results in the last ten years. Many targeted conjugates of paclitaxel were developed, folic acid, hyaluronic acid, monoclonal antibodies, hormones, fatty acids and glucose being used as tumor-targeting moieties in the conjugates. The conjugates were tested for cytotoxicity; many of them possess a better anticancer activity than free paclitaxel. The targeted delivery of paclitaxel to cancer cells is a potential promising chemotherapy.