title: nab-paclitaxel: a novel formulation of taxane for treatment of breast cancer.
abstract: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Anthracyclines and taxanes are the most active and widely used chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of both early-stage and advanced breast cancer. In the past decade, novel formulations of these cytotoxic agents have been developed to improve efficacy and decrease toxicity. nab-paclitaxel is a solvent-free, albumin-bound 130-nm particle form of paclitaxel (Abraxane, Abraxis Bioscience, CA, USA), which was developed to avoid toxicities associated with the Cremophor vehicle used in solvent-based paclitaxel. In a Phase III study, nab-paclitaxel demonstrated higher response rates, a better safety profile compared with conventional paclitaxel, and improved survival in patients receiving it as second-line therapy. Based on this pivotal trial, nab-paclitaxel is now approved in the USA for treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant therapy where prior therapy included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. Recently, several Phase II studies have suggested a role for nab-paclitaxel as a single agent and in combination with other agents for first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Studies are ongoing to explore the use of nab-paclitaxel in other solid tumors such as non-small-cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer and malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Division of Hematology Oncology, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vishnu
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C520255:130-nm albumin-bound paclitaxel; D000418:Albumins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003603:Cytotoxins; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel