Taxol (paclitaxel) is a microtubule-stabilizing drug used to treat various cancers, including ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. It was discovered in the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and later synthesized. Despite its initial success in clinical trials, its production was limited due to the slow growth of the tree, leading to its commercialization by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Taxol works by stabilizing microtubules, which are essential for cell division, leading to mitotic arrest and cell death. However, recent studies suggest that intratumoral concentrations of paclitaxel may not cause mitotic arrest but instead induce multipolar divisions, leading to chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy. This mechanism may explain why only about 50% of patients benefit from paclitaxel therapy. Research indicates that paclitaxel can also affect interphase cells through mechanisms involving cell signaling and microtubule-mediated transport. Despite these findings, the development of a biomarker to predict which patients will benefit from paclitaxel remains a challenge. Understanding the clinically relevant mechanism of paclitaxel is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and identifying effective biomarkers.Taxol (paclitaxel) is a microtubule-stabilizing drug used to treat various cancers, including ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. It was discovered in the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and later synthesized. Despite its initial success in clinical trials, its production was limited due to the slow growth of the tree, leading to its commercialization by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Taxol works by stabilizing microtubules, which are essential for cell division, leading to mitotic arrest and cell death. However, recent studies suggest that intratumoral concentrations of paclitaxel may not cause mitotic arrest but instead induce multipolar divisions, leading to chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy. This mechanism may explain why only about 50% of patients benefit from paclitaxel therapy. Research indicates that paclitaxel can also affect interphase cells through mechanisms involving cell signaling and microtubule-mediated transport. Despite these findings, the development of a biomarker to predict which patients will benefit from paclitaxel remains a challenge. Understanding the clinically relevant mechanism of paclitaxel is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and identifying effective biomarkers.