Taxoids: cancer-fighting compounds from nature.

This review covers advances in the discovery, preclinical and clinical development of potential anticancer agents based upon the diterpenoid taxane skeleton. The anticancer properties of approved clinical agents of this class are not discussed, but the review documents how, 13 years post-approval of paclitaxel (Taxol), the base taxane structure is still utilized as the starting skeleton for molecules with improved pharmacological and toxicological properties. Paclitaxel may in fact be the first example of a 'tunable' anticancer agent. In addition, paclitaxel, and perhaps other taxanes in due course, has activities beyond the known antitumor indications, with an example being the use of paclitaxel-coated stents in cardiovascular therapies.