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.
