Antimicrotubule Agents - Scholarcy Highlights
The synthesis of a range of analogues and derivatives allowed a structure-activity relationship to be deduced for paclitaxel, informing the semi-synthesis of other taxanes for biological evaluation
Paclitaxel had been demonstrated to be a potent anticancer agent, the problems associated with obtaining sufficient quantities threatened to halt its development until it was discovered that, in addition to having a novel structure, it had a unique mode of action
Myelosuppression is considered the principal toxicity associated with the taxanes: it is more commonly associated with docetaxel, and occurs with paclitaxel and cabazitaxel
The vinca alkaloids are antimicrotuble agents used in the treatment of a range of cancers, including; breast, bladder, kidney, testicular, and lung cancers, leukaemias, lymphomas, melanoma, and myeloma
Common adverse effects associated with the vinca alkaloids include fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, diarrhoea, myelosuppression, and loss of fertility