title: Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel: a novel Cremphor-EL-free formulation of paclitaxel.
abstract: Standard formulation paclitaxel requires the use of solvents, such as Cremphor-EL, which contribute to some of the toxicities commonly associated with paclitaxel-based therapy. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is a novel solvent-free formulation of paclitaxel. The formulation is prepared by high-pressure homogenization of paclitaxel in the presence of serum albumin into a nanoparticle colloidal suspension. The human albumin-stabilized paclitaxel particles have an average size of 130 nm. Nab-paclitaxel has several practical advantages over Cremphor-EL-paclitaxel, including a shorter infusion time (30 min) and no need for premedications for hypersensitivity reactions. The nab-paclitaxel formulation eliminates the impact of Cremphor-EL on paclitaxel pharmacokinetics and utilizes the endogenous albumin transport mechanisms to concentrate nab-paclitaxel within the tumor. A recent Phase III trial compared nab- and Cremphor-EL-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients treated with nab-paclitaxel experienced a higher response, longer time to tumor progression and, in patients receiving second-line or greater therapy, a longer median survival. Patients treated with nab-paclitaxel had a significantly lower rate of severe neutropenia and a higher rate of sensory neuropathy. The preclinical and clinical data indicate that the nab-paclitaxel formulation has significant advantages over Cremphor-EL-paclitaxel.
authors: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7305, USA. thomas_stinchcombe@med.unc.edu
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Stinchcombe
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D012997:Solvents; D017239:Paclitaxel