Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Abraxane + carboplatin

Abraxane (paclitaxel albumin-bound nanoparticles) stabilizes microtubules to halt cell division, while carboplatin creates DNA crosslinks to prevent replication, together providing synergistic cytotoxic effects against cancer cells.

Abraxane (paclitaxel albumin-bound nanoparticles) stabilizes microtubules to halt cell division, while carboplatin creates DNA crosslinks to prevent replication, together providing synergistic cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. Used for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Ovarian cancer, Breast cancer.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Abraxane is a nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel that binds to albumin for improved delivery and tolerability; it works by stabilizing microtubules and preventing their disassembly during mitosis. Carboplatin is a platinum-based alkylating agent that forms DNA adducts and crosslinks, blocking DNA replication and transcription. The combination leverages two distinct mechanisms of cytotoxicity to enhance anti-tumor activity.

Approved indications

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• Ovarian cancer
• Breast cancer
• Other solid tumors (phase 3 dependent)

Common side effects

• Neutropenia
• Anemia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Nausea/vomiting
• Fatigue
• Alopecia
• Hypersensitivity reactions

Key clinical trials

• Durvalumab in Combination With Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors, DURVA+ Trial (PHASE2)
• Paclitaxel and Carboplatin With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IV Ovarian Epithelial Cancer, Primary Peritoneal Cancer, or Fallopian Tube Cancer (PHASE3)
• Reduced-dose Carboplatin-doublet-chemotherapy + Cemiplimab vs Cemiplimab Monotherapy in Treatment Naive Older and Frail Patients With Metastatic NSCLC With PD-L1 <50% (PHASE2)
• A Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT, MK-2870) as Monotherapy and in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (MK-2870-011/TroFuse-011) (PHASE3)
• A Clinical Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT, MK-2870) in People With Breast Cancer (MK-2870-032) (PHASE3)
• Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
• Testing the Addition of an Antiangiogenic Drug (Bevacizumab) to Chemotherapy (Carboplatin and Paclitaxel) Combined With Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) for pMMR, TP53 Mutated Endometrial Cancer (PHASE3)
• Pembrolizumab With or Without Maintenance Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT; MK-2870) in Metastatic Squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) [MK-2870-023] (PHASE3)

Primary sources

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