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Pharmacodynamics of tubulin and tubulin-binding agents: extending their potential beyond taxanes.

Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents that disrupt the assembly or disassembly of microtubules, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, are among the most commonly prescribed anticancer therapies. However, the utility of taxane-based therapy is limited principally by problems with formulation, slow administration, cumulative neurotoxicity, and resistance in part through induction of P-glycoprotein. The broad-spectrum anticancer activity of taxane therapy has encouraged investigators to identify a class of structurally novel microtubulin-stabilizing agents that could produce comparable outcomes with fewer problems. Preclinical studies indicate that epothilones have a broad spectrum activity in paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer models. Several epothilone analogues have displayed promising antitumor activity in initial clinical trials. Ixabepilone, an epothilone derivative in the later stages of clinical development, has exhibited antitumor activity in breast cancers, with or without previous taxane therapy. The most common adverse events associated with ixabepilone are reversible sensory neuropathy and neutropenia. This review briefly outlines the basic science behind microtubule-targeting agents and examines the preclinical studies of several of these agents in breast cancer models. Also discussed are results from clinical trials of epothilones alone and in combination in patients with breast cancer.
AuthorsEleni Andreopoulou, Franco Muggia
JournalClinical breast cancer (Clin Breast Cancer) Vol. 8 Suppl 2 Pg. S54-60 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1526-8209 [Print] United States
PMID18637400 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
Chemical References
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytotoxins
  • Epothilones
  • Tubulin Modulators
Topics
  • Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
  • Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
  • Cytotoxins (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
  • Epothilones (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Tubulin Modulators (pharmacology, therapeutic use)

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