Apoptosis And Resistance To Anti-Microtubule Agents

Several clinically important anti-cancer agents exert their effects on tumor cells through interference with the function of microtubules. In addition to the Vinca alkaloids, such as vinblastine and vincristine, the taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Trade Name: Taxol), kill tumor cells through a microtubular target. Treatment with taxol leads to the inability of microtubules to depolymerize, leading to the formation of large intracellular microtubular bundles. In tumor cells that progress through the cell cycle, this leads to the inability of these cells to disassembly interphase microtubule networks and a failure to form functional mitotic spindles. These cells arrest in M phase, from which they eventually progress, either by the induction of apoptotic cell death, or by micronucleation and the formation of tetraploid cells. There is also the possibility that taxol has other effects on the regulation of genes or other systems to enhance cell killing, perhaps through lowering the threshold of cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death.