Abraxane Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation is a form of paclitaxel in nanoparticles (very tiny particles of protein). The drug in other words, is nanoparticle paclitaxel and protein-bound paclitaxel. This form may work better than other forms of paclitaxel and have fewer side effects.
Paclitaxel is active against primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma, breast cancer, colon, non-small-cell lung cancer, and also AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma in preclinical models and is present of common use in the treatment of several important malignancies as lung cancer, breast cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, gastric cancer, oesophagal cancer, bladder cancer, and other carcinomas. In fact, Abraxane was the first to receive FDA approval in 2005, for the treatment of breast cancer in patients who reported progressive disease after chemotherapy for metastatic cancer or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection helps to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved or worsened after treatment with other medications. In fact, doctors use the Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection in combination with other chemotherapy medications to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They use Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) to treat cancer of the pancreas. It is important to note that Paclitaxel is in a class of medications, antimicrotubule agents. Also, it works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid to be injected over 30 minutes intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. When the doctors use paclitaxel (with albumin) injection to treat breast cancer, they usually give it once every 3 weeks. When they use paclitaxel (with albumin) injection to treat non-small cell lung cancer they usually give it on days 1, 8, and 15 as part of a 3-week cycle. Furthermore, when the doctors use paclitaxel (with albumin) injection to treat cancer of the pancreas, they usually give it on days 1, 8, and 15 as part of a 4-week cycle. One can repeat these cycles, for as long as your doctor recommends.
However,our doctor may need to interrupt your treatment, reduce your dose, or stop your treatment depending on your response to the medication and any side effects that you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment.
Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
Breast cancer that has relapsed or metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) after treatment with other chemotherapy.
Non-small cell lung that is locally advanced or has metastasized. In fact, it is used with carboplatin as a first-line treatment in patients whose disease cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy.
Pancreatic cancer has metastasized. Also, doctors use it with gemcitabine hydrochloride as a first-line treatment.
Side effects:
- Paclitaxel (with albumin) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the place where the medication was injected
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- sores in the mouth or throat
- hair loss
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
- blurred vision or vision changes
- decreased urination
- dry mouth
- thirst
- muscle pain or cramps
- joint pain
- Some side effects can be serious. In fact, if you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet
- sudden onset of a dry cough that doesn’t go away
- shortness of breath
- rash
- hives
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
- pale skin
- excessive tiredness
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- chest pain
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- fainting
