Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Abraxane
FDA Approved:		Yes

Paclitaxel Albumin-stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic and recurrent breast cancer. The drug is also called nanoparticle paclitaxel and protein-bound paclitaxel. Nanoparticle paclitaxel causes fewer side effects than paclitaxel.

Nanoparticle paclitaxel is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

FDA Approval for Paclitaxel Albumin-stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation ⁴ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: New Form of Paclitaxel Causes Fewer Side Effects in Advanced Breast Cancer (10/17/2005) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials for Paclitaxel Albumin-stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation ⁷ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from the primary site (place where it started) to other places in the body.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.