Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Application

Paclitaxel has been used to study its effects on tumor regression in mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Paclitaxel has also been used as an internal standard for chromatographic assays of docetaxel. Furthermore, paclitaxel has been used to analyze its effects on Caenorhabditis elegans embryos.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Paclitaxel is highly lipophilic. It serves as a substrate for p-glycoprotein, a multi-drug resistance protein. Paclitaxel is thus, less localized to the brain. Apart from its cytocidal action, paclitaxel is known to stimulate tumor invasion process.

Paclitaxel is a potent anti-neoplastic and anti-mitotic taxane drug, which binds to the N-terminus of β-tubulin and and stabilizes microtubules arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. The microtubule damage induces apoptosis through a JNK-dependent pathway followed by a JNK-independent pathway, perhaps related to the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) or of Raf-1 kinase, resulting in phosphorylation of Bcl-2. A major metabolite via CYP2CB is 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel (6α-OHP).

Caution

Paclitaxel undergoes transesterification in methanol and hydrolyzes in aqueous solutions.

Features and Benefits

This compound was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. To browse the list of other pharma-developed compounds and Approved Drugs/Drug Candidates, click here.

This compound is a featured product for ADME Tox research. Click here to discover more featured ADME Tox products. Learn more about bioactive small molecules for other areas of research at sigma.com/discover-bsm.

General description

Chemical structure: taxoide

Packaging

1, 5, 25 mg in glass insert

Preparation Note

Paclitaxel is soluble in methanol at 50 mg/ml and yields a clear, colorless solution. It is also soluble in ethanol, water and DMSO.