Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Abraxane (Maintenance)

Abraxane is a nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel that stabilizes microtubules to inhibit cell division and induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Abraxane is a nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel that stabilizes microtubules to inhibit cell division and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Used for Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (maintenance therapy), Metastatic breast cancer, Pancreatic cancer.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Paclitaxel binds to beta-tubulin and prevents microtubule depolymerization, disrupting the mitotic spindle and halting cell cycle progression. The albumin-bound nanoparticle formulation improves drug delivery and reduces hypersensitivity reactions compared to conventional paclitaxel, allowing higher doses and potentially enhanced tumor penetration via the albumin receptor (gp60) on endothelial cells.

Approved indications

• Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (maintenance therapy)
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Common side effects

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Neutropenia
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Alopecia
• Nausea/vomiting
• Arthralgia/myalgia

Key clinical trials

• Reduced-dose Carboplatin-doublet-chemotherapy + Cemiplimab vs Cemiplimab Monotherapy in Treatment Naive Older and Frail Patients With Metastatic NSCLC With PD-L1 <50% (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)
• Testing the Addition of the Immunotherapy Drug Pembrolizumab to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel and Carboplatin) in Stage III-IV or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer (PHASE3)
• Testing the Addition of Herceptin Hylecta or Phesgo to the Usual Chemotherapy for HER2 Positive Endometrial Serous Carcinoma or Carcinosarcoma (PHASE3)
• Induction Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy Followed by Pembrolizumab Before Chemoradiation and Pembrolizumab Maintenance Compared to Standard Chemoradiation With Pembrolizumab Followed by Pembrolizumab Maintenance in High-Risk Cervical Cancer (PHASE3)
• Chemotherapy Combined With Immunotherapy Versus Immunotherapy Alone for Older Adults With Stage IIIB-IV Lung Cancer, The ACHIEVE Trial (PHASE3)
• Precise Treatment for BLIS Subtype of TNBC in the First-line Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (PHASE3)

Primary sources

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