An overview on anti-tubulin agents for the treatment of lymphoma patients

Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Jul:211:107552. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107552. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Abstract

Anti-tubulin agents constitute a large class of compounds with broad activity both in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, due to the interference with microtubule dynamics. Since microtubules play crucial roles in the regulation of the mitotic spindles, the interference with their function usually leads to a block in cell division with arrest at the metaphase/anaphase junction of mitosis, followed to apoptosis. This explains the reason why tubulin-binding agents (TBAs) proved to be extremely active in patients with cancer. Several anti-tubulin agents are indicated in the treatment of patients with lymphomas both alone and in combination chemotherapy regimens. The article reviews the literature on classic and more recent anti-tubulin agents, providing an insight into their mechanisms of action and their use in the treatment of lymphoma.

Keywords: Antibody drug conjugates; Dolastatins; Epothilones; Maytansine; Taxanes; Vinca alkaloids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Microtubules / drug effects
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Tubulin / drug effects*
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators