Progress in the development of alternative pharmaceutical formulations of taxanes

The currently available taxanes paclitaxel (Taxol(R)) and docetaxel (Taxote re(R)) are clinically effective against advanced breast, ovarian and non-sm all cell lung cancer. Due to their low aqueous solubility, both taxanes pos ed difficulties to the pharmaceutical scientists with respect to the develo pment of an intravenous dosage form. At present, paclitaxel is formulated i n a mixture of 50:50% (v/v) Cremophor EL and dehydrated ethanol. However, t his formulation vehicle is associated with a number of pharmacological, pha rmacokinetic and pharmaceutical concerns amongst which serious hypersensiti vity reactions. This review deals with the attempts made into the developme nt of alternative dosage forms of paclitaxel devoid of the Cremophor EL/eth anol excipients and potential future taxane formulations.