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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 11/15/2007
  • Updated: 07/06/2011

Ixabepilone

listen 1  (IK-suh-BEH-pih-lone)

This page contains brief information about ixabepilone and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

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

FDA Approval for Ixabepilone 2

Use in Cancer

Ixabepilone is approved to be used alone or with capecitabine to treat:

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

More About Ixabepilone

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 3 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Ixabepilone 4 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results

New Chemotherapy Agents Travel Winding Road 5 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Ixabepilone 6 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
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.
cancer (KAN-ser)
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.
capecitabine (ka-peh-SY-tuh-been)
A drug used to treat stage III colon cancer in patients who had surgery to remove the cancer. It is also used to treat metastatic breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer drugs. Capecitabine is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is taken up by cancer cells and breaks down into 5-fluorouracil, a substance that kills tumor cells. Capecitabine is a type of antimetabolite. Also called Xeloda.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
locally advanced cancer (LOH-kuh-lee ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
metastasize (meh-TAS-tuh-size)
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/711224.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-ixabepilone
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=37860
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a608042.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_092507/page8
6http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=37860&idtype=1
7http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
8http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
9http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access