Recent advances of selenized tubulin inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Abstract

Cancer treatment always a huge challenge amidst the resistance and relapse caused by the various treatments. Inhibitors targeting mitosis have been considered as promising therapeutic drugs in clinic, of which tubulins play an important role. Selenium (Se) as an essential microelement in humans and animals, playing a crucial role in the formation of anti-oxidase (glutathione peroxidase) and selenoprotein, also attracted broad attention in cancer therapy. Because the introduction of Se atom could change the length and angle of chemical bond and alter their functional properties, regulating selenized chemotherapeutics has become one of the hot spots. However, little attention has been paid to studying the combination of Se and tubulin inhibitors. Herein, we review the latest research results of selenized tubulin inhibitors in cancer therapy, including its mechanisms, categories and biological activities, providing a theoretical basis for different selenized microtubules inhibitors therapies.