Taxanes in the treatment of breast cancer: a prodigy comes of age.

The taxanes, paclitaxel and docetaxel, are among the most promising new agents in the treatment of breast cancer. Responses are routinely seen in > 30% of patients with metastatic disease, including those who have previously received anthracyclines. Combination therapy has increased response rates but as yet has not improved the overall survival of patients with metastatic disease. Improved survival with the addition of paclitaxel to standard adjuvant therapy reported in a recently completed trial suggests the true impact of the taxanes has not yet been realized.