Tubulin isotype screening in cancer therapy using hemiasterlin analogs

摘要

Chemotherapeutic agents that interfere with microtubule assembly or disassembly in the cell are potent inhibitors of cell replication. Examples of such agents include hemiasterlin analogs. It has been shown that the susceptibility of certain cancers to analogs of hemiasterlin correlates with the expression of particular tubulin isotypes or other microtubule-associated proteins such as MAP-4 and stathmin. Correlations such as these may be used in identifying patients suitable for treatment using a particular chemotherapeutic agent. Such a system avoids treating patients with cytotoxic compounds where there is a minimal or no effect on the cancer. The invention also provides a system of establishing these correlations for different compounds and cancer types. The system will be particularly useful in establishing correlations between anti-microtubule agents and cancers such as lung, breast, and ovarian cancer. Kits and reagents useful in practicing the invention are also provided.