Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Taxol (Nabpaclitaxel)

Taxol works by binding to tubulin and preventing the formation of microtubules, which are essential for cell division.

Taxol, also known as Nabpaclitaxel, is a microtubule inhibitor small molecule developed by HQ SPCLT PHARMA and approved by the FDA in 1992. It targets the tubulin beta-3 chain to inhibit cell division, making it effective in treating various types of cancer. Taxol is used to treat carcinomas of the breast, fallopian tube, and ovary, as well as Kaposi's sarcoma and other malignant tumors. The drug has a half-life of 11 hours and bioavailability of 6%, and its commercial status is owned by HQ SPCLT PHARMA. Key safety considerations include its potential for hypersensitivity reactions and neurotoxicity.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension (albumin-bound) is microtubule inhibitor that promotes the assembly of microtubules from tubulin dimers and stabilizes microtubules by preventing depolymerization. This stability results in the inhibition of the normal dynamic reorganization of the microtubule network that is essential for vital interphase and mitotic cellular functions. Paclitaxel induces abnormal arrays or bundles of microtubules throughout the cell cycle and multiple asters of microtubules during mitosis.

Approved indications

• Carcinoma of breast
• Carcinoma of fallopian tube
• Hypertensive disorder
• Kaposi's sarcoma
• Malignant tumor of cervix
• Malignant tumor of ovary
• Malignant tumor of peritoneum
• Metastatic Breast Carcinoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Ocular hypertension
• Open-angle glaucoma
• Secondary malignant neoplasm of pancreas

Common side effects

• Bone Marrow Neutropenia <2,000/mm3
• Bone Marrow Neutropenia <500/mm3
• Thrombocytopenia <100,000/mm3
• Thrombocytopenia <50,000/mm3
• Anemia <11 g/dL
• Anemia <8 g/dL
• Infections
• Hypersensitivity Reaction
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Myalgia/Arthralgia
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Mucositis

Key clinical trials

• Study of Novel Treatment Combinations in Patients With Lung Cancer (PHASE2)
• Risk-adapted Adjuvant Chemotherapy Guided by the Tumour Stage for Operated Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With mFOLFIRINOX (PHASE2,PHASE3)
• Clinical Trial of OMTX705 in Combination With Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel and Tislelizumab in Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PHASE1)
• A Study to Assess an ATX Inhibitor (IOA-289) in Healthy Volunteers (PHASE1)
• CisPlatin plUs Gemcitabine and Nabpaclitaxel (GAP) as pReoperative Chemotherapy Versus Immediate Resection in patIents With resecTable BiliarY Tract Cancers (BTC) at High Risk for Recurrence (PHASE2,PHASE3)
• CEND-1 in Combination With Nabpaclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (PHASE1)
• Liquid Biopsy (ctDNA) Guided Treatment in Localized Pancreatic Cancer: Neoadjuvant CTX vs. Upfront Surgery (PHASE3)
• Combined Nabpaclitaxel Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy With Systemic Nabpaclitaxel-Gemcitabine Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Peritoneal Metastases (PHASE2)

Patents

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Taxol CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Taxol updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Pfizer portfolio CI