Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent derived from the Pacific yew tree, used primarily to treat various forms of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancers. It works by inhibiting cell division, specifically disrupting the normal functioning of microtubules during mitosis, which is essential for cell division. Its mechanism of action and structural properties connect it to the principles of photorearrangements and photocycloadditions, as it can undergo transformations when exposed to light, influencing its efficacy and interactions.
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