Microtubule-Interfering Drugs: Current and Future Roles in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Taxanes and epothilones are chemotherapeutic agents that ultimately lead to cell death through inhibition of normal microtubular function. This review summarizes the literature demonstrating their current use and potential promise as therapeutic agents in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), as well as putative mechanisms of resistance. Historically, taxanes have become the standard of care in the front-line and recurrent treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. In the past few years, epothilones (i.e., ixabepilone) have become of interest as they may retain activity in taxane-treated patients since they harbor several features that may overcome mechanisms of taxane resistance. Clinical data now support the use of ixabepilone in the treatment of platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian cancer. Clinical data strongly support the use of microtubule-interfering drugs alone or in combination in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Ongoing clinical trials will shed further light into the potential of making these drugs part of current standard practice.

Noncoding RNAs in the Glycolysis of Ovarian Cancer

“…The development and progression of OC is a complex physiological process. The invasion and metastasis of OC is a complicated process, which poses difficulties for early detection, intervention, and treatment ( Tymon-Rosario et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ). The Warburg effect is one of the recognized metabolic features of tumor cells ( Abi Zamer et al, 2021 ; Nakagawa et al, 2021 ).…”

Panobinostat Synergistically Enhances the Cytotoxicity of Microtubule Destabilizing Drugs in Ovarian Cancer Cells

“…Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic neoplasia, causing around 210,000 annual deaths worldwide [ 1 ]. High mortality is mainly due to late diagnosis because tumors grow with non-specific clinical manifestations [ 2 , 3 ]. Moreover, relapses and the development of chemoresistance are common.…”

“…Moreover, relapses and the development of chemoresistance are common. Around 75% of patients diagnosed in advanced stages will relapse within the first 2 years after initial treatment [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop new therapeutic strategies, such as efficient drug combinations, that might prevent the development of drug resistance and tumor relapse, and improve OC survival.…”

Microtubule Dynamics and Cancer

“…Their newly designed technique might help to find novel potent MT poisons, which are suited for cancer therapy [ 10 ]. As example, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a cancer type, which would greatly benefit from novel therapeutic options, since this type is often associated with a resistance toward taxanes and epothilones, described by Tymon-Rosario et al in their review article [ 11 ]. The first-line therapy option for woman with EOC consists since multiple decades of a combinatory approach including cytoreductive surgery as well as a platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy.…”

“…Furthermore, several ongoing clinical trials will help to investigate the potential of new MTAs and hopefully to establish these drugs as a standard therapy option for EOC. This reflects the utmost importance to investigate the cellular processes connected to MTs, apoptosis and the precise molecular signaling of MTAs to improve the clinical outcome of EOC patients [ 11 ].…”