paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent belonging to the taxane class, used primarily in the treatment of various cancers including ovarian, breast, non-small cell lung cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. It acts as an anti-microtubule agent by stabilizing microtubules and preventing their depolymerization during cell division. This disrupts mitosis and leads to apoptosis of rapidly dividing cancer cells. Paclitaxel is administered intravenously and may be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents[1][3][7]. The drug was originally developed from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and has been available since the early 1990s.

Brand names

TaxolOnxolNov-OnxolPaclitaxel Novaplus

Other names

paclitaxel protein-bound particlesliposomal encapsulated paclitaxelnanoparticulate paclitaxel