Abstract
Tubulin is one of the most useful and strategic molecular targets for anticancer drugs. The dynamic process of microtubule assembly and disassembly can be blocked by various agents that bind to distinct sites in the β-tubulin subunit. By interfering with microtubule function in vitro, these agents arrest cells in mitosis, eventually leading to cell death, by both apoptosis and necrosis. So far, three binding domains have been identified a) the colchicine site close to the α/β interface, b) the area where the vinca alkaloids bind, and c) the taxane-binding pocket. This review compiles the patent literature up to 2013 and offers a detailed account of all the advances on Tubulin inhibitors (lead molecules) along with in depth knowledge about the number of novel scaffolds, modified analogs and derivatives of the lead molecules. Colchicine binding site remains the most explored site indicated by the patent survey as majority of the patents revolves around phenstatin and combretastatin based molecules where the key structural feature for tubulin inhibition is an appropriate arrangement of the two aromatic rings at an appropriate distance and optimal dihedral angle maximizing interactions with tubulin. A brief account of promising tubulin inhibitors in stages of clinical development and some strategies for the development of potent molecules overcoming the problem of drug resistance have also been discussed.
Keywords: Cancer, chalcones, colchicine, microtubules, tubulin, tumor.
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery
Title:Tubulin Inhibitors: A Patent Survey
Volume: 9 Issue: 2
Author(s): Kunal Nepali, Ritu Ojha, Sahil Sharma, Preet M.S. Bedi and Kanaya L. Dhar
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer, chalcones, colchicine, microtubules, tubulin, tumor.
Abstract: Tubulin is one of the most useful and strategic molecular targets for anticancer drugs. The dynamic process of microtubule assembly and disassembly can be blocked by various agents that bind to distinct sites in the β-tubulin subunit. By interfering with microtubule function in vitro, these agents arrest cells in mitosis, eventually leading to cell death, by both apoptosis and necrosis. So far, three binding domains have been identified a) the colchicine site close to the α/β interface, b) the area where the vinca alkaloids bind, and c) the taxane-binding pocket. This review compiles the patent literature up to 2013 and offers a detailed account of all the advances on Tubulin inhibitors (lead molecules) along with in depth knowledge about the number of novel scaffolds, modified analogs and derivatives of the lead molecules. Colchicine binding site remains the most explored site indicated by the patent survey as majority of the patents revolves around phenstatin and combretastatin based molecules where the key structural feature for tubulin inhibition is an appropriate arrangement of the two aromatic rings at an appropriate distance and optimal dihedral angle maximizing interactions with tubulin. A brief account of promising tubulin inhibitors in stages of clinical development and some strategies for the development of potent molecules overcoming the problem of drug resistance have also been discussed.
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Nepali Kunal, Ojha Ritu, Sharma Sahil, Bedi M.S. Preet and Dhar L. Kanaya, Tubulin Inhibitors: A Patent Survey, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2014; 9 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/15748928113089990042
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/15748928113089990042 |
Print ISSN 1574-8928 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3970 |
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