Use and abuse of taxanes in the management of metastatic breast cancer

Taxanes are currently introduced early in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), both as single agents and in combination with anthracyclines. Two different patient populations exist: those with no or minimal prior anthracycline exposure and those who have failed previous anthracyclines. The data generated through phase III trials in first-line MBC therapy will be reviewed and their interpretation for routine clinical practice (use versus abuse) will be discussed. Ways of improving taxane-based treatment tailoring both in the pre- and postgenomic eras will be addressed.