A series of second-generation taxoids bearing a substituent on the C-2-benzoyl group and modifications at C-3'/C-10 positions was synthesized. These taxoids exhibited 2-3 orders of magnitude higher potency than that of paclitaxel against drug-resistant human breast cancer cell lines. It is also noteworthy that three taxoids showed almost no difference in activity against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cell lines, which are categorized as "advanced second generation taxoids".