Stabilizing versus Destabilizing the Microtubules: A Double-Edge Sword for an Effective Cancer Treatment Option?

Table 2

Microtube-stabilizing agents.

Chemical lead	Properties and effects	Clinical trial/status	References
Epothilones	Elevated water solubility, activity versus MDR cell lines, and chemical malleability.	Phase II/III clinical trials in taxane-sensitive solid tumors (breast, lung, and prostate).	[195, 196]
Ixabepilone	Epothilone B analog, superior metabolic stability, and activity versus MDR cell lines.	Approved in 2007 for metastatic breast cancer; several ongoing trials in solid tumors.	[194, 197]
Laulimalide	Activity versus MDR cell lines and angiogenic activity, synergistic with docetaxel.	Preclinical phase.	[199, 201]
Dictyostatin	Activity against MDR cell lines, synergistic with taxol.	Preclinical phase.	[205, 206]