Microtubule-stabilizing agents: a growing class of important anticancer drugs

Microtubule-stabilizing agents continue to play an important role in anticancer drug discovery and development. New agents were again discovered in the past year, including small synthetic molecules. At least three new taxanes and two compounds of the epothilone class of natural products underwent clinical trials in 2000. Unexpected new findings about synergistic effects between different microtubule-stabilizing agents in vitro raise new prospects for combination chemotherapy.