Drug updated on 4/16/2024
| Dosage Form | Injection (intravenous: 100 mg) |
| Drug Class | Microtubule inhibitors |
| Ongoing and Completed Studies | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Indication
- For the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated.
- For the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as first-line treatment in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.
- For the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas as first-line treatment, in combination with gemcitabine.
Summary
- Paclitaxel (Abraxane) is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
- According to multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses, Abraxane has shown considerable benefits in treating metastatic breast cancer with manageable side effects such as neutropenia, leukopenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, and fatigue.
- The effectiveness of Abraxane appears to be influenced by factors such as dosage schedule and patient characteristics like human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(Her-2)-negative status; patients who received first-line nab-paclitaxel monotherapy showed higher overall response rates (ORR) and longer progression-free survival (PFS).
- In comparison with solvent-based paclitaxel or docetaxel treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel(Abranaxe) demonstrated superior efficacy in terms of overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However it also increased risk for grade ≥3 anaemia.
- A total number of 8 Systemic Reviews/Meta-Analyses were reviewed which provided insights into the safety profile between nab-paclitxael(Abranaxe) compared to traditional taxanes (solvent-based paclixatel[sb-pacilitxael] or docetexal); while anaphylaxis was less common with nab-paciltxael, hematologic adverse events were more frequent but weekly administration at lower dosages provided better tolerance.
- For elderly patients suffering from NSCLC (non small-cell lung carcinoma ), Nab-P/C (nabpacli-taxe plus carboplatin) proved effective especially when compared to sb-P/C (solvent-based paclitaxel plus carboplatin).
Product Monograph / Prescribing Information
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Abraxane (paclitaxel (bound to human albumin)) Prescribing Information. | 2020 | Celgene Corporation Summit, NJ |
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
Clinical Practice Guidelines
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Non–small cell lung cancer, version 3.2022, NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. | 2022 | Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network |
| Pancreatic cancer: French clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up (SNFGE, FFCD, GERCOR, UNICANCER, SFCD, SFED, SFRO, ACHBT, AFC). | 2018 | Digestive and Liver Disease |
| Metastatic pancreatic cancer: ASCO clinical practice guideline update. | 2018 | Journal of Clinical Oncology |
| Systemic therapy for stage IV non–small-cell lung cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update. | 2017 | Journal of Clinical Oncology |