BEZ235 + paclitaxel + trastuzumab

This is a combination therapy consisting of three agents: BEZ235 (dactolisib), paclitaxel, and trastuzumab. BEZ235 is an orally available dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR). It inhibits the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, leading to reduced cancer cell viability. Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy agent that works by inhibiting microtubule disassembly, thereby blocking cell division. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), commonly overexpressed in certain breast cancers. This combination has been investigated primarily for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer and other solid tumors with PI3K-pathway alterations[1][2][5]. The rationale for combining these drugs lies in their complementary mechanisms—targeting both HER2 signaling and downstream PI3K/mTOR pathways while also providing cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Brand names

Taxol (for paclitaxel)Herceptin (for trastuzumab)

Other names

NVP-BEZ235NVP-BEZ-235NVP-BEZ 235PTX (for paclitaxel, as used in clinical trials)TZ (for trastuzumab, as used in clinical trials)