Review article
https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2019-70-3258
An overview of microtubule targeting agents for cancer therapy
Bensu Karahalil
; Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Sevgi Yardım-Akaydin
; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Sultan Nacak Baytas
; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Abstract
The entire world is looking for effective cancer therapies whose benefits would outweigh their toxicity. One way to reduce
resistance to chemotherapy and its adverse effects is the so called targeted therapy, which targets specific molecules
(“molecular targets”) that play a critical role in cancer growth, progression, and metastasis. One such specific target are
microtubules. In this review we address the current knowledge about microtubule-targeting agents or drugs (MTAs/MTDs)
used in cancer therapy from their synthesis to toxicities. Synthetic and natural MTAs exhibit antitumor activity, and
preclinical and clinical studies have shown that their anticancer effectiveness is higher than that of traditional drug
therapies. Furthermore, MTAs involve a lower risk of adverse effects such as neurotoxicity and haemotoxicity. Several
new generation MTAs are currently being evaluated for clinical use. This review brings updated information on the
benefits of MTAs, therapeutic approaches, advantages, and challenges in their research.
Keywords
chemotherapy; MDA; microtubule stabilising agents; microtubule destabilising agents; MSA; MTA
Hrčak ID:
225547
URI
Publication date:
24.9.2019.
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