Definition

A depot formulation containing the taxane docetaxel, a semisynthetic analogue of paclitaxel, with antineoplastic activity. Upon intratumoral administration, docetaxel depot formulation NZ-DTX forms a solid depot allowing the controlled release of docetaxel. Docetaxel binds specifically to the beta-tubulin subunit of the microtubule, stabilizing tubulin and inhibiting microtubule disassembly, which results in cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and cell death. This agent also inhibits pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and induces various mediators of the inflammatory response.