Current Development of Oral Taxane Formulations: A Review

In this review, we describe the advances in oral drug delivery approaches for taxanes for successful therapeutic outcome. Taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) have unwanted pharmacokinetic profiles when they are given in their current dosage forms. Taxanes have low bioavailability, are extensively metabolized by CYP3A, and have a high affinity for P-glycoprotein. Regardless of dosage schedule, the overall docetaxel or paclitaxel dose that a patient can tolerate at a given interval remains similar. Currently, there are no commercially available oral taxane nanoformulations, and there are still several challenges to overcome. Nano-based formulations may offer the best solutions to problems involving the safety and effectiveness of taxane delivery. Thus, further research is necessary before such taxane nanoformulations can be manufactured for clinical use.