Unesbulin – a Novel Anti-tubulin Cancer Therapeutic

Abstract

A hallmark of all cancers is the rapid rates of cell division associated with tumor growth. Rapid cell division is dependent upon the assembly and disassembly of microtubules, which are essential components of the mitotic spindle and are critical for the movement and separation of chromosomes during cell division [1]. Microtubules are dynamic filaments that are composed of αβ-tubulin heterodimers. Microtubules also play key roles in determining cell shape, cell motility, and transportation of organelles within the cell. Blocking normal microtubular function leads to a failure of cells to progress through cell division and ultimately results in cell death.