DNA and microtubule (α- and β-tubulin polymer)

Standard cytotoxic chemotherapy includes agents that primarily target **DNA** (the cell's genetic material) and **microtubules** (dynamic cytoskeletal filaments composed of α- and β-tubulin dimers essential for cell division and intracellular transport). **DNA-targeting agents** induce genotoxic stress through direct DNA damage (strand breaks, crosslinks, or disruption of replication), exploiting cancer cells' frequent deficiencies in DNA repair pathways. **Microtubule-targeting agents** interfere with mitotic spindle formation and disrupt trafficking of proteins, including DNA repair proteins, potentiating DNA damage and cell death. Both classes are validated chemotherapeutic targets for a broad spectrum of cancers, but their lack of selectivity for malignant over normal rapidly proliferating cells results in dose-limiting toxicities and the risk of late complications, such as therapy-induced secondary cancers and chemoresistance. These are not single molecular entities but functional categories describing major classes of cytotoxic chemotherapy targets[1][2][3][5][6].

Other names

DNAmicrotubuletubulingenomic DNAmitotic spindlechromosomal DNAcytoskeletal microtubule

DNA-targeting: Induction of DNA damage (strand breaks, cross-links, base modifications), inhibition of DNA repair, activation of DNA damage response leading to apoptosis or mitotic catastrophe[2][3][4] Microtubule-targeting: Inhibition of microtubule dynamics (either stabilization or destabilization), mitotic arrest, inhibition of intracellular trafficking, disruption of mitotic spindle formation, impaired DNA repair protein transport[1][5][6]