paclitaxel (Fresenius Kabi)

Nanoxel is a cremophor-free, water-soluble polymeric nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel developed by Fresenius Kabi Oncology Ltd. (formerly Fresenius Kabi India Pvt. Ltd.). The active ingredient, paclitaxel, is a small molecule taxane that acts as an antimicrotubule agent by binding to tubulin, promoting microtubule assembly and preventing depolymerization. This stabilization of the microtubule network disrupts the essential dynamics required for cell division, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Unlike conventional paclitaxel formulations that utilize Cremophor EL (a solvent associated with severe hypersensitivity reactions), Nanoxel employs a polymeric nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that forms nano-sized micelles to encapsulate the hydrophobic paclitaxel. This formulation eliminates the need for steroid premedication and reduces infusion-related toxicities. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, including adjuvant treatment of node-positive disease and metastatic disease after chemotherapy failure, as well as ovarian cancer and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Brand names

Nanoxel

Other names

paclitaxel nanoparticlecremophor-free paclitaxel nanoparticlepolymeric nanoparticle paclitaxel