Approximately 120 taxoids have been isolated to date from the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata. These taxoids possess various skeletons containing 5/7/6-, 6/10/6-, 6/5/5/6-, 6/8/6-, or 6/12-membered ring systems. Among the taxoids, some non-paclitaxel-type compounds have been shown to reduce CaCl(2)-induced depolymerization of microtubules, increase cellular accumulation of vincristine in multidrug-resistant tumor cells, and exhibit potent cytotoxicity. Chemical derivatization of taxoids of T. cuspidata is also reviewed.