Mass spectrometric analyses in agriculture and natural product research

Cross-reactivity between paclitaxel and hazelnut: a case report

“…1,2 The discovery of paclitaxel in the hazelnut tree was accidentally reached by a professor of horticulture from the University of Portland, Oregon attempting to find the cause of a fungal attack on hazelnuts known as the Eastern Filbert Blight. [1][2][3]5 Paclitaxel in the hazelnut tree can be found in the bark, leaves, shells, fungus, and even the nuts. 1,3,5 This discovery led to the synthesis of paclitaxel from hazelnut trees.…”

“…[1][2][3]5 Paclitaxel in the hazelnut tree can be found in the bark, leaves, shells, fungus, and even the nuts. 1,3,5 This discovery led to the synthesis of paclitaxel from hazelnut trees. The latter is more common than the pacific yew thus increasing the drug's availability and reducing costs.…”

“…This incidence is reduced by premedication. 5,9 We describe a patient who developed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction upon her initial administration of paclitaxel, and whose allergic symptoms were identical to the ones she experienced with her hazelnut allergy.…”

“…The availability and cost of the drug remain an important issue, and synthesis of the drug has proven to be difficult. 5,6 Thus, the availability from hazelnut trees and products has a significant impact on the use of this agent. 6,7 The rate of hypersensitivity to paclitaxel is greater than 10% of patients who receive the drug, and presents as a nonimmunologically mediated release of histamine and other vasoactive substances.…”