paclitaxel + irinotecan

Paclitaxel + irinotecan is a combination chemotherapy regimen used primarily for the treatment of advanced or metastatic cancers, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer. Paclitaxel is a taxoid chemotherapeutic agent that stabilizes microtubules, thereby inhibiting cell division and inducing apoptosis in rapidly dividing tumor cells. Irinotecan is a semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin that acts as a topoisomerase I inhibitor; it is converted in vivo to its active metabolite SN-38, which traps topoisomerase I-DNA complexes and prevents DNA religation, leading to double-stranded DNA breaks and cell death. The combination has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials for NSCLC when administered biweekly, with manageable toxicity profiles[1][3][4][8].

Brand names

Abraxane

Other names

NSC 125973NSC125973NSC-125973NSC 616348NSC616348NSC-616348