paclitaxel

Definition of paclitaxel

paclitaxel

(PA-klih-TAK-sil)
A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, advanced ovarian cancer, and certain types of breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Paclitaxel stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. It is a type of taxane.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms