Microtubules as a target for anticancer drugs

MA Jordan, L Wilson - Nature reviews cancer, 2004 - nature.com
MA Jordan, L Wilson
Nature reviews cancer, 2004nature.com
Highly dynamic mitotic-spindle microtubules are among the most successful targets for
anticancer therapy. Microtubule-targeted drugs, including paclitaxel and Vinca alkaloids,
were previously considered to work primarily by increasing or decreasing the cellular
microtubule mass. Although these effects might have a role in their chemotherapeutic
actions, we now know that at lower concentrations, microtubule-targeted drugs can suppress
microtubule dynamics without changing microtubule mass; this action leads to mitotic block …
Abstract
Highly dynamic mitotic-spindle microtubules are among the most successful targets for anticancer therapy. Microtubule-targeted drugs, including paclitaxel and Vinca alkaloids, were previously considered to work primarily by increasing or decreasing the cellular microtubule mass. Although these effects might have a role in their chemotherapeutic actions, we now know that at lower concentrations, microtubule-targeted drugs can suppress microtubule dynamics without changing microtubule mass; this action leads to mitotic block and apoptosis. In addition to the expanding array of chemically diverse antimitotic agents, some microtubule-targeted drugs can act as vascular-targeting agents, rapidly depolymerizing microtubules of newly formed vasculature to shut down the blood supply to tumours.
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