Taxanes belong to a new group of antineoplastic agents with a novel mechanism of action for a cytotoxic drug. They promote microtubule assembly and stabilize the microtubules. Paclitaxel, the first agent in this group to become available, was isolated from the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia, in 1971. In preclinical and clinical studies, paclitaxel and its semisynthetic analog docetaxel exhibit significant antitumor activity. This review deals with the physicochemical properties, pharmacology, and results of preclinical and clinical trials of the taxanes.

TGF-beta(2) administration via feeding is well tolerated and safe. Although this study might have had limitations to show potential benefit of TGF-beta(2), it does not provide evidence that TGF-beta(2) decreases the incidence or degree of mucositis induced by combination chemotherapy in childhood-cancer patients.

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The development of a second malignancy after diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare event. Certain second malignancies have been linked with specific elements of leukemia therapy, yet the etiology of most second neoplasms remains obscure and their optimal management strategies are unclear. This is a first comprehensive report of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) following pediatric ALL therapy, excluding stem-cell transplantation. We analyzed data of patients enrolled in 12 collaborative pediatric ALL trials between 1980-2018, who developed NHL following ALL diagnosis. Eighty-five patients developed NHL, with mature B-cell lymphoproliferations as the dominant subtype (56/85). Forty-six of these 56 cases (82%) occurred during or within six months of maintenance therapy. The majority (65%) exhibited histopathological characteristics associated with immunodeficiency, predominantly evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven lymphoproliferation. We investigated 66 cases of post-ALL immunodeficiency-associated lymphoid neoplasms, 52 from our study and 14 additional cases from a literature search. With a median follow-up of 4.9 years, five-year overall survival for the 66 patients with immunodeficiency-associated lymphoid neoplasms was 67.4% (95% CI, 56-81). Five-year cumulative risks of lymphoid neoplasm- and leukemia-related mortality were 20% (95% CI, 10.2-30) and 12.4% (95% CI, 2.7- 22), respectively. Concurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was associated with increased mortality (HR, 7.32; 95% CI, 1.62 to 32.98; p=0.01). A large proportion of post-ALL lymphoid neoplasms are associated with an immunodeficient state, likely precipitated by ALL maintenance therapy. Awareness of this underrecognized entity and pertinent diagnostic tests are crucial for early diagnosis and optimal therapy.

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