paclitaxel albumin-bound (Bristol Myers Squibb)

Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is a solvent-free, nanoparticle formulation of the taxane chemotherapy agent paclitaxel. It was developed to improve the therapeutic index of paclitaxel by utilizing albumin-mediated transport (via gp60-mediated transcytosis and potential interaction with the SPARC protein) to deliver the drug more effectively to tumor tissues while avoiding the toxicities associated with traditional polyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) vehicles. In the context of the ChiCTR2400084464 trial, it is being investigated as part of a neoadjuvant triplet regimen (with gemcitabine and the anti-EGFR antibody nimotuzumab) for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The drug works by binding to tubulin and stabilizing microtubules, thereby inhibiting cell division and inducing apoptosis.