Paclitaxel (Taxol)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Paclitaxel

What it is

Paclitaxel is a taxane chemotherapy medicine, first found in the bark of the Pacific yew tree. It stabilises the microtubules that pull chromosomes apart during cell division, so dividing cancer cells get stuck and die. It is given by drip for breast, ovarian, lung and other cancers. It is sold as Taxol and, bound to albumin, Abraxane.

How genes come into it

Paclitaxel is broken down mainly by CYP2C8, with help from CYP3A4, and carried out of cells by ABCB1. The CYP2C8*3 version has been linked in several studies to more nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), its most common lasting side effect. Studies have also looked at ABCB1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and genes linked to response such as CASP7. The results are mixed, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Paclitaxel. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (45 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

EPHA5 rs7349683: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms, Ovarian Neoplasms, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases. 4.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Level 3. Efficacy: Breast Neoplasms, Ovarian Neoplasms. 2.

CYP2C8 rs11572080: Level 3. Other. 2.

CYP3A4 CYP3A4*1, CYP3A4*8, CYP3A4*20, CYP3A4*22: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms, Ovarian Neoplasms. 2.

Metabolism (9 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotype CT is associated with increased metabolism of paclitaxel in people with Ovarian Neoplasms.

CYP2C8 CYP2C8*3: CYP2C8 *3 is associated with decreased exposure to paclitaxel in women with Breast Neoplasms.

SLCO1B1 SLCO1B1*5, SLCO1B1*15: SLCO1B1 *5 + *15 is associated with increased exposure to paclitaxel in women with Breast Neoplasms.

CYP2C8 rs10509681: Allele C is associated with decreased metabolism of paclitaxel as compared to allele T.

Response (54 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotype CC is associated with decreased response to paclitaxel in women with Breast Neoplasms.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotypes AA + AT are associated with increased response to paclitaxel in women with Ovarian Neoplasms as compared to genotypes AC + CC.

ABCC2 rs145008610: Genotype AA is associated with decreased clinical benefit to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and paclitaxel in people with Breast Neoplasms as compared to genotypes AC + CC.

CASP7 rs1127687: Genotypes AA + AG are associated with decreased response to paclitaxel and Platinum compounds in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotype GG.

Dosing (2 findings)

Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.

CYP2C8 rs11572103: Allele T is not associated with metabolism of paclitaxel in people with Neoplasms as compared to allele A.

CYP3A4 rs12721627: Allele C is associated with decreased metabolism of paclitaxel in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to allele G.

Side effects (2 findings)

Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.

ABCC2 rs717620: Genotype CT is associated with decreased dose of paclitaxel in people with Peripheral Nervous System Diseases as compared to genotype CC.

GSTP1 rs1695: Allele G is associated with decreased response to carboplatin and paclitaxel in people with Ovarian Neoplasms as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Taxanes (class) (Taxanes)

Taxotere (Taxanes)

5-FU (Antimetabolites)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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