Blocking Blood Flow to Solid Tumors by Destabilizing Tubulin: An Approach to Targeting Tumor Growth

J Med Chem. 2016 Oct 13;59(19):8685-8711. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00463. Epub 2016 Jun 27.

Abstract

The unique characteristics of the tumor vasculature offer the possibility to selectively target tumor growth and vascularization using tubulin-destabilizing agents. Evidence accumulated with combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and its prodrug CA-4P support the therapeutic value of compounds sharing this mechanism of action. However, the chemical instability and poor solubility of CA-4 demand alternative compounds that are able to surmount these limitations. This Perspective illustrates the different classes of compounds that behave similar to CA-4, analyzes their binding mode to αβ-tubulin according to recently available structural complexes, and includes described approaches to improve their delivery. In addition, dissecting the mechanism of action of CA-4 and analogues allows a closer insight into the advantages and drawbacks associated with these tubulin-destabilizing agents that behave as vascular disrupting agents (VDAs).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Bibenzyls / chemistry
  • Bibenzyls / pharmacology
  • Bibenzyls / therapeutic use
  • Drug Discovery / methods
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Tubulin Modulators / chemistry*
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology*
  • Tubulin Modulators / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Bibenzyls
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • combretastatin