Paclitaxel works by inhibiting cellular mitosis by inhibiting cellular microtubule depolymerization and acts to treat progressive ovarian cancer, lymph node-positive breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer that has failed combination chemotherapy, non-small cell lung cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Paclitaxel is a novel anti-microtubule drug that stabilizes microtubules by promoting the polymerization of microtubule protein dimers and inhibiting their depolymerization, thereby inhibiting the normal dynamic reorganization of the microtubule network, which is essential for cellular function in interphase and mitosis. Paclitaxel is useful in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy, and breast cancer that recurs within 6 months after adjuvant chemotherapy.
Peripheral neutrophil count <1500/mm³, hypersensitivity to human albumin or this drug is contraindicated. Adverse reactions such as granulocytopenia, anemia, skin flushing, hypotension, chest pain, dyspnea, muscle arthralgia, nausea, and vomiting may occur after administration. Take care to use the drug under the supervision of a physician.