| abstract |
Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2' and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a "hydrolysis-promoting group" ("HPG"). In one embodiment, the hydrolysis promoting group is stereospecifically attached to the a-carbon of the hydrophobic taxane. The Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers or inflammatory diseases. |