docetaxel + retaspimycin

This is a combination therapy of docetaxel, a microtubule inhibitor (taxane class), and retaspimycin hydrochloride (IPI-504), a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Docetaxel disrupts microtubule function leading to mitotic arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Retaspimycin inhibits Hsp90, a molecular chaperone required for the stability and function of multiple oncogenic client proteins. The combination was developed primarily for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the rationale that Hsp90 inhibition would sensitize tumor cells to antimitotic agents like docetaxel. Preclinical studies showed synergy between these drugs in NSCLC models; clinical trials demonstrated manageable safety but ultimately failed to show improved overall survival compared to standard therapy[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

Brand names

Taxotere

Other names

docetaxel + IPI-504docetaxel + retaspimycin hydrochloride