βIII-tubulin enhances efficacy of cabazitaxel as compared with docetaxel.

Cabazitaxel is a novel taxane approved for treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer in patients pretreated with docetaxel. Cabazitaxel, docetaxel, and paclitaxel bind specifically to tubulin in microtubules, disrupting functions essential to tumor growth. High levels of βIII-tubulin isotype expression are associated with tumor aggressivity and drug resistance.

Structural Basis for Induction of Peripheral Neuropathy by Microtubule-Targeting Cancer Drugs.

Peripheral neuropathy is a serious, dose-limiting side effect of cancer treatment with microtubule-targeting drugs. Symptoms present in a "stocking-glove" distribution, with longest nerves affected most acutely, suggesting a length-dependent component to the toxicity. Axonal transport of ATP-producing mitochondria along neuronal microtubules from cell body to synapse is crucial to neuronal function.

Antiproliferative mechanism of action of the novel taxane cabazitaxel as compared with the parent compound docetaxel in MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Cabazitaxel, a novel chemotherapeutic taxane, is effective against docetaxel-resistant cells and tumors. It is approved for treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer in patients pretreated with docetaxel. Objective responses have been observed in many other cancers, including pretreated metastatic breast cancer.