paclitaxel + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil + capecitabine

This drug combination consists of four distinct antineoplastic agents: paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and capecitabine. Paclitaxel is a taxane that stabilizes microtubules, preventing their disassembly and disrupting mitotic spindle formation, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cisplatin is a platinum-based alkylating agent that binds to DNA, forming cross-links that interfere with DNA replication and transcription, ultimately inducing apoptosis. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite and pyrimidine analog that, after metabolic activation, inhibits thymidylate synthase, blocking DNA synthesis, and is misincorporated into DNA and RNA, disrupting their function. Capecitabine is an orally administered prodrug that is selectively converted to 5-fluorouracil primarily within tumor tissues, thereby delivering the same active cytotoxic agent as 5-FU. The combination aims to leverage these diverse mechanisms to achieve synergistic cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, although the simultaneous use of both 5-fluorouracil and its prodrug capecitabine is generally considered redundant in standard clinical practice.

Other names

TPF regimenTPF-C regimenModified TPF regimen