Synthesis of taxoids with improved cytotoxicity and solubility for use in tumor-specific delivery.

To develop effective taxane-antibody immunoconjugates, we have prepared a series of modified taxanes that have both improved toxicity and solubility in aqueous systems as compared to paclitaxel (1a). These taxanes have been modified at either the C-10 or C-7 position and were found to be very cytotoxic against both normal and multi-drug-resistant (MDR) cells, as well as up to 30 times more soluble than paclitaxel in various buffer systems.