Investigational Anticancer Agents Targeting the Microtubule

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the preclinical and clinical development to date of investigational anticancer agents whose mechanism of action is thought to be via direct interaction with tubulin or microtubules. All of the compounds discussed are agents discovered or derived from screening natural materials for anti-cancer activity. The underlying theme for pursuit of these agents is that tubulin is a validated anticancer target and that novel interactions between new chemical entities and tubulin may overcome resistance, increase therapeutic index, or alter the spectrum of clinical utility against different cancer types.