title: Cytoskeletal alterations that confer resistance to anti-tubulin chemotherapeutics.
abstract: Drugs that target microtubules are a successful class of anti-cancer agents that have been in clinical use for over two decades. Acquired resistance to these drugs, however, remains a serious problem. Microtubule alterations, such as tubulin mutations and altered β- tubulin isotype expression, are prominent factors in development of resistance. Changes in actin and intermediate filament proteins can also mediate sensitivity to microtubule-targeting drugs. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which alterations in cytoskeletal proteins lead to drug resistance. This information will be helpful for improving the targeting of microtubule toxins.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiscovery and School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanakkanthara
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Teesdale-Spittle
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects; D014404:Tubulin / Q000187:drug effects*; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014404:Tubulin; D050257:Tubulin Modulators