An anticancer drug. Docetaxel (Taxotere) is given intravenously to treat advanced breast cancer that has spread (metastasized). Docetaxel works by disrupting cell division.
A member of the taxane group of anti-tumour drugs, docetaxel is used to treat advanced or metastatic cancer arising in the breast. It is also used to treat non-small cancer of the lung. The national institute for clinical excellence (NICE) has recommended that both docetaxel and paclitaxel should be available for the treatment of advanced breast cancer where initial anticancer chemotherapy (including an anthracycline) has failed or is inappropriate. Paclitaxel may also be used for ovarian cancer in certain circumstances.