a class of chemicals whose molecular structure includes the primary constituents of Taxol

A medicine that inhibits cell growth by stopping cell division. Taxanes are used as treatments for breast cancer. Also called antimitotic or antimicrotubule agents or mitotic inhibitors. Docetaxel (brand name: Taxotere) and paclitaxel (brand name: Taxol) are taxanes.

A widely used class of chemotherapy drugs, including paclitaxel and docetaxel. Paclitaxel was originally derived from the Pacificyew tree. The principal mechanism of the taxane class is inhibition of microtubule function. Microtubules are essential to cell division, and taxanes therefore stop cells from properly dividing.