Description
Epothilone is an anticancer chemotherapeutic and neuroprotective compound that acts as an antimitotic compound; it binds the taxane pocket of β-tubulin, using side chains to induce formation of a short helix and preventing microtubule depolymerization. Epothilone displays activity against lung cancer and prostate cancer in clinical trials and may show benefit in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, epothilone B inhibits glioblastoma cell migration. In animal models of spinal cord injury, epothilone B decreases scarring, stimulates axonal regeneration, and improves motor deficits. Typically, the degree of chemotherapeutic activity of the three epothilone subtypes follows the alphabet, where Epo A> Epo B> Epo D.