Microtubule targeting agents in glioma

Microtubules are dynamic tubular polymers of α- and β-tubulin which provide structural integrity, promote migration, transport of molecules, vesicles and organelles and play essential roles during cell division by forming the mitotic spindles, orchestrating the transport and separation of chromosomes and cytokinesis. Blocking the microtubule polymerization-dynamics leads to disruption of cellular division, mitotic arrest at the metaphase-anaphase transition and induction of apoptosis (1). Microtubules are thus a good target for anticancer therapy. Many tubulin-binding agents (TBAs) have been purified from natural products and synthesized to be used as therapy for a variety of cancers (2).