Docetaxel for the post-surgery treatment of patients with node-positive breast cancer

Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces risk of relapse and cancer-related mortality in early stage breast cancer. Over the last decade, taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) have been incorpo- rated into various adjuvant trials and have demonstrated a signifi cant benefi t in the management of early stage breast cancer. Clinical trials using combinations of taxanes with targeted therapy have also shown considerable activity in breast cancer. This article reviews the pharmacology of docetaxel, a semi-synthetic taxane, and the clinical trials supporting its use in patients with node-positive breast cancer.