Microtubule stabilizer

Microtubule stabilizers are drugs that enhance the stability of microtubules, which are long, tube-like structures inside cells that support cell shape, division, and transport. Normally, microtubules constantly grow and shrink, facilitating processes like chromosome separation during cell division. Stabilizers prevent this dynamic behavior, effectively "freezing" microtubules in place. This action disrupts cell division, making such drugs useful in treating cancers by stopping rapidly dividing tumor cells. Examples include taxanes (like paclitaxel). By selectively targeting microtubules, these stabilizers hinder cancer cell growth while generally sparing normal cells.