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Paclitaxel (Pac)
Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules by binding to β-tubulin, preventing their depolymerization and causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells.
Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules by binding to β-tubulin, preventing their depolymerization and causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Used for Metastatic carcinoma of the ovary, Breast cancer (metastatic and adjuvant), Non-small cell lung cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Paclitaxel (Pac) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Taxol |
| Sponsor | Aravive, Inc. |
| Drug class | Taxane; microtubule stabilizer |
| Target | β-tubulin / microtubules |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizing agent that binds to the β-tubulin subunit of microtubules, preventing their normal dynamic instability. This stabilization disrupts mitotic spindle formation and cell division, leading to G2/M phase arrest and triggering apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is effective across multiple solid tumor types and hematologic malignancies.
Approved indications
- Metastatic carcinoma of the ovary
- Breast cancer (metastatic and adjuvant)
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Kaposi's sarcoma
- Gastric adenocarcinoma
Common side effects
- Neutropenia
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Myalgia/arthralgia
- Alopecia
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Key clinical trials
- Nab-Paclitaxel + Cisplatin + Gemcitabine + TTF in pt. w/ Metastatic PAC (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel for Patients With Primary Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Phase II Study of Platinum (Cisplatin/Carboplatin)and Polymeric Micelles Paclitaxel(Pm-Pac) With Ivonescimab in First Line Metastatic Squamous NSCLC. (PHASE2)
- 2nd-line Therapy With Nal-IRI After Gem/Nab-pac in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer - Predictive Role of 1st-line Therapy (PHASE3)
- Study of Oral Vinorelbine Plus Capecitabine Versus Taxane-gemcitabine Combinations as 1st Line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- PIPAC Nab-pac for Stomach, Pancreas, Breast and Ovarian Cancer (PHASE1)
- Batiraxcept (AVB-S6-500)/Placebo in Combination With Paclitaxel in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer (PHASE3)
- Bevacizumab Beyond Progression in Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Paclitaxel (Pac) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Paclitaxel (Pac) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Aravive, Inc. portfolio CI