ABSTRACT
Western yew tree
in 1971, exhibits unique pharmacological actions as an inhibitor of mitosis, differing from the
vinca alkaloids
and
colchicine derivatives
in that it promotes rather than inhibits microtubule formation. Following its introduction into clinical trial, the drug was approved for treatment of
cisplatin-refractory ovarian cancer
in 1992 and has promising activity against
cancers of the breast
,
lung
,
esophagus
, and
head and neck
.
