Ixabepilone is a microtubule inhibitor administered in combination with capecitabine or alone in the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer that has shown inadequate response to taxanes and anthracyclines. Ixabepilone is an epothilone B analog developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as a cancer drug.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Binding of Ixabepilone to beta-tubulins (e.g. beta-III tubulin) stabilizes microtubules. Microtubules are essential to cell division, and epothilones therefore stop cells from properly dividing. Like taxol, Ixabepilone binds to the αβ-tubulin heterodimer subunit. Once bound, the rate of αβ-tubulin dissociation decreases, thus stabilizing the microtubules.
- Primary indication
- Investigated for use/treatment in breast cancer, head and neck cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, lymphoma (non-hodgkin's), prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and cancer/tumors (unspecified).Curator reviewed · 4 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C27H42N2O5S · 506.7 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- United States, 2007
- Also known as
- Aza-epothilone B · Azaepothilone B
- Code names
- BMS-247550 · BMS 247550-01
- Brand names
Resolves to
FABUFPQFXZVHFB-PVYNADRNSA-NSMILES[H][C@]12C[C@H](NC(=O)C[C@H](O)C(C)(C)C(=O)[C@H](C)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](C)CCC[C@@]1(C)O2)C(\C)=C\C1=CSC(C)=N1What you can answer from here — as of October 01, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ixabepilone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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