Taxanes are currently introduced early in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), both as single agents and in combination with anthracyclines. Two different patient populations exist: those with no or minimal prior anthracycline exposure and those who have failed previous anthracyclines. The data generated through phase III trials in first-line MBC therapy will be reviewed and their interpretation for routine clinical practice (use versus abuse) will be discussed. Ways of improving taxane-based treatment tailoring both in the pre- and postgenomic eras will be addressed.