Last reviewed 2026-04-23 · How we verify

Paclitaxel (Taxol)

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

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 the mitotic spindle formation during cell division, leading to G2/M phase arrest and triggering apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is effective against a broad range of solid tumors 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
• Bradycardia

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)
• BAL0891 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (PHASE1)
• 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)
• Adding Nivolumab to Usual Treatment for People With Advanced Stomach or Esophageal Cancer, PARAMUNE Trial (PHASE2, PHASE3)
• CFI-402257 in Combination With Paclitaxel in Patients With Advanced/Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• A Clinical Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT, MK-2870) in People With Breast Cancer (MK-2870-032) (PHASE3)

Primary sources

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