Chapter 2
Anticancer Drugs - C. Mitotic inhibitors (Tubule inhibitors)
Mitosis is one step of the cell cycle (Fig. 1.8) in
which a cell is divided into two identical cells and each has its own nucleus.
A drug that inhibits mitosis (cell division) is referred to as a mitotic
inhibitor, also referred to as a tubule inhibitor. Because microtubules play a
very important role in mitosis, disruption of microtubules disrupts cell
division thus achieving the anticancer effect.
Tubule inhibitors, including
alkaloids and terpenoids, are usually derived from plants. They usually work by
interfering with microtubule function or inhibiting the assembly of
microtubules; microtubules are special proteins in tubular shape that are
important components of cytoskeleton, which is a dynamic skeleton in cytoplasm
that maintains cell shape and plays an important role in cellular division. Examples of this type of drug include
paclitaxel and vinblastine.
Fig. 1.8 Cell
cycle
© Jiajiu Shaw, 2018
Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book, "SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY", prepared by Dr. Jiajiu Shaw, Dr. Frederick Valeriote, and Dr. Ben Chen.
