title: Enhancing intracellular taxane delivery: current role and perspectives of nanoparticle albumin-bound  paclitaxel  in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Docetaxel and paclitaxel are among the most active agents for the treatment of breast cancer. These first-generation taxanes are extremely hydrophobic; therefore, solvents are needed for its parenteral administration. Albumin nanoparticle technology allows for the transportation of such hydrophobic drugs without the need of potentially toxic solvents. Nab-paclitaxel can be administered without premedication, in a shorter infusion time and without the need for a special infusion set. Moreover, this technology allows the selective delivery of larger amounts of anticancer drug to tumors, by exploiting endogenous albumin pathways.
  
  
  METHODS
  An overview of the albumin nanoparticle technology, from a clinical perspective, is reported in this paper. The preclinical and clinical development of nab-paclitaxel is reviewed, in the context of available therapies for advanced breast cancer, with a focus on safety data. Preclinical and clinical data on the prognostic and predictive role of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) are also reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nab-paclitaxel is approved at present for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, after the failure of first-line standard therapy, when anthracyclines are not indicated. Efficacy and safety data, along with a more convenient administration, confirm the potential for nab-paclitaxel to become a reference taxane in breast cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Respiratory Diseases , Via del Pozzo 71, Modena 41100 , Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guarneri
authors.forename: Maria Vittoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dieci
authors.forename: Pierfranco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conte
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D053758:Nanoparticles; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C520255:130-nm albumin-bound paclitaxel; D000418:Albumins; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017239:Paclitaxel