Microtubule inhibitor

[D.ap]

So a relatively new group of targeted type meds, as far as I can understand

Eribulin mesylate as a microtubule inhibitor for treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3233277/

Abstract


Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains an incurable disease, with the goals of care aimed at maximizing the patient’s duration and quality of life. Treatment options for MBC have become more efficacious and numerous. In addition to endocrine and chemotherapy agents, a number of targeted agents, including trastuzumab and bevacizumab, have further enhanced the landscape of therapeutic options. Eribulin mesylate (E7389) is a nontaxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, and a structurally simplified synthetic analog of the natural marine product, halichondrin B, with a novel mechanism of action that has shown antitumor activity in pretreated MBC. Eribulin has shown a manageable tolerability profile in Phase I–II clinical trials and an improvement in overall survival compared with treatment of physician’s choice, without relevant toxicities in a recently published Phase III trial. This review will focus on eribulin as a new active agent for MBC and its role in the management of breast disease.


Microtubule-binding agents: a dynamic field of cancer therapeutics

Preface


Microtubules are dynamic filamentous cytoskeletal proteins that are an important therapeutic target in tumor cells. Microtubule binding agents have been part of the pharmacopoeia of cancer for decades, and until the advent of targeted therapy microtubules were the only alternative to DNA as a therapeutic target in cancer. The screening of a variety of botanical species and marine organisms has yielded promising new antitubulin agents with novel properties. Enhanced tumor specificity, reduced neurotoxicity, and insensitivity to chemoresistance mechanisms are the three main objectives in the current search for novel microtubule binding agents.



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3194401/


My hope, as I can guarentee from others, is that we move forward with a cure for ASPS some how some way.