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Paclitaxel (PTX)
Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules by binding to β-tubulin, preventing their depolymerization and causing cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, leading to cancer cell death.
Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules by binding to β-tubulin, preventing their depolymerization and causing cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, leading to cancer cell death. Used for Metastatic breast cancer, Non-small cell lung cancer, Ovarian cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Paclitaxel (PTX) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections |
| Drug class | Taxane; microtubule-stabilizing agent |
| Target | β-tubulin (microtubule) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizing agent that binds to the β-tubulin subunit of microtubules and prevents their disassembly. This stabilization disrupts the dynamic reorganization of the microtubule cytoskeleton required for cell division, trapping cells in mitosis and triggering apoptosis. It is one of the most widely used chemotherapy agents across multiple solid tumor types.
Approved indications
- Metastatic breast cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Gastric cancer
- Head and neck cancer
Common side effects
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Neutropenia
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Myalgia/arthralgia
- Alopecia
- Nausea/vomiting
- Mucositis
- Hypersensitivity reaction
Key clinical trials
- A Study of Suizenji in Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer (NA)
- Paclitaxel and Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for Treatment of HIV-related Kaposi Sarcoma (PHASE3)
- Drug-Eluting Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Hemodialysis Vascular Access Stenosis (DEBAVAS) (NA)
- A Phase I Intravesical PPM Therapy for NMIBC (PHASE1)
- Effect of Pentoxifylline on Preventing Chemotherapy-induced Toxicities in Patients With Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- Low Dose Nivolumab With Chemotherapy vs Standard Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment in Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC (PHASE3)
- Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Specific Mode Electroacupuncture Stimulation for Paclitaxel Across BBB Delivery in Patients With Postoperative Recurrence of Malignant Glioma: A Single-arm Trial (PHASE2)
- A Study of AK104（ an Anti-PD-1 and Anti-CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody) in Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer (PHASE2)
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 |
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