title: Microtubule-targeting agents are clinically successful due to both mitotic and interphase impairment of microtubule function.
abstract: Microtubules undergo continual dynamic changes in mitotic cells as the mitotic spindle forms and is broken down and in interphase cells where they play a central role in intracellular trafficking, cell signaling, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Compounds that target the microtubule have been hugely successful in the clinic as chemotherapeutics, and this success is likely due to their ability to target cells regardless of their cell cycle stage. Additionally, new generation antibody-conjugated microtubule-targeting agents are improving the targeting of these drugs to tumors. Microtubule-targeting agents have been shown to have anti-angiogenic and vascular-disrupting properties as well as effects on cellular migration, intracellular trafficking, and cell secretion. There are a number of these compounds in development that target the vasculature, and different formulations of clinically used drugs are being developed to take advantage of these anti-angiogenic properties. Microtubule-targeting agents have also been shown to have the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Thus, drugs that target the microtubule will continue to have a major impact in oncology not only as anti-mitotics but also as potent inhibitors of interphase functions, and in future may also prove to be effective in reducing the consequences of neurodegenerative disease.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jessica J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanakkanthara
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Electronic address: john.h.miller@vuw.ac.nz.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D050257:Tubulin Modulators
keywords: Anti-angiogenesis; Anti-vascular; Cancer; Interphase microtubules; Microtubule-targeting agents; Neurodegeneration