Docetaxel was protected by patents (U.S. patent and European patent) which were owned by Sanofi-Aventis, and so was available only under the Taxotere brand name internationally. The European patent expired in 2010. Docetaxel is a clinically well-established anti-mitotic chemotherapy medication used for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. Also used as a single agent in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy. It is also used in combination with prednisone, in the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore, docetaxel has uses in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma and head and neck cancer. Docetaxel interferes with the normal function of microtubule growth. Whereas drugs like colchicine cause the depolymerization of microtubules in vivo, docetaxel arrests their function by having the opposite effect; it hyper-stabilizes their structure. This destroys the cell's ability to use its cytoskeleton in a flexible manner. Specifically, docetaxel binds to the β-subunit of tubulin. Tubulin is the "building block" of mictotubules, and the binding of docetaxel locks these building blocks in place. The resulting microtubule/docetaxel complex does not have the ability to disassemble. This adversely affects cell function because the shortening and lengthening of microtubules (termed dynamic instability) is necessary for their function as a transportation highway for the cell. Chromosomes, for example, rely upon this property of microtubules during mitosis. Further research has indicated that docetaxel induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells by binding to an apoptosis stopping protein called Bcl-2 (B-cell leukemia 2) and thus arresting its function.

Vinorelbine (trade name Navelbine) is a semi-synthetic vinca-alkaloid with a broad spectrum of anti-tumour activity. Vinorelbine is a mitotic spindle poison that impairs chromosomal segregation during mitosis. It blocks cells at G2/M. Microtubules (derived from polymers of tubulin) are the principal target of vinorelbine. Vinorelbine was developed by Pierre Fabre under licence from the CNRS in France. NAVELBINE (vinorelbine tartrate) as a single agent or in combination is indicated for the first line treatment of non small cell lung cancer and advanced breast cancer.

Podofilox ((abbreviated as PPT), otherwise known as podofilox) is an antimitotic drug which can be chemically synthesized or purified from the plant families Coniferae and Berberidaceae (e.g. species of Juniperus and Podophyllum). Podofilox 0.5% solution is indicated for the topical treatment of external genital warts (Condyloma acuminatum). This product is not indicated in the treatment of perianal or mucous membrane warts. Treatment of genital warts with podofilox results in necrosis of visible wart tissue. The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but is believed to exert its antimitotic effect by binding to tubulin, at a site close to but not identical to the binding site of colchicine; it is thought that this antimitotic effect causes necrosis of wart tissue, the observed clinical effect. In addition, podofilox is known to interfere with nucleoside transport, which may also contribute to its action. Adverse effects reported in less than 5% of the patients included pain with intercourse, insomnia, tingling, bleeding, tenderness, chafing, malodor, dizziness, scarring, vesicle formation, crusting edema, dryness/peeling, foreskin irretraction, hematuria, vomiting and ulceration.

ALBENZA (albendazole) is an orally administered anthelmintic drug. Chemically, it is methyl 5¬ (propylthio)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate, is indicated to treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. In addition, treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. Albendazole binds to the colchicine-sensitive site of β-tubulin inhibiting their polymerization into microtubules. The decrease in microtubules in the intestinal cells of the parasites decreases their absorptive function, especially the uptake of glucose by the adult and larval forms of the parasites, and depletes glycogen storage. Insufficient glucose results in insufficient energy for the production of adenosine trisphosphate (ATP) and the parasite eventually dies. Albendazole developed in 1975. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. The incidence of side effects reported in the published literature is very low, with only gastrointestinal side effects occurring with an overall frequency of just >1% . Albendazole's unique broad-spectrum activity is exemplified in the overall cure rates calculated from studies employing the recommended doses for hookworm (78% in 68 studies: 92%, for A. duodenale in 23 studies and 75% for N. americanus in 30 studies), A. lumbricoides (95% in 64 studies), T. trichiura (48% in 57 studies), E. vermicularis (98% in 27 studies), S. stercoralis (62% in 19 studies), H. nana (68% in 11 studies), and Taenia spp. (85% in 7 studies).

Mebendazole, known as Emverm is a (synthetic) broad-spectrum anthelmintic that acts by interfering with carbohydrate metabolism and inhibiting polymerization of microtubules. The loss of the cytoplasmic microtubules leads to impaired uptake of glucose by the larval and adult stages of the susceptible parasites, and depletes their glycogen stores. Degenerative changes in the endoplasmic reticulum, the mitochondria of the germinal layer, and the subsequent release of lysosomes result in decreased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy required for the survival of the helminth. Due to diminished energy production, the parasite is immobilized and eventually dies. Emverm tablets are used for the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (common roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm), Necator americanus (American hookworm) in single or mixed infections. All metabolites are devoid of anthelmintic activity. In man, approximately 2% of administered mebendazole is excreted in urine and the remainder in the feces as unchanged drug or a primary metabolite. Preliminary evidence suggests that cimetidine inhibits mebendazole metabolism and may result in an increase in plasma concentrations drug. Mebendazole sometimes causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. In rare cases, it has been associated with a dangerously low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and hair loss, with a risk of agranulocytosis in rare cases

Vinblastine is a Vinca alkaloid obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle plant. Vinca alkaloids were found out in the 1950's by Canadian scientists, Robert Noble and Charles Beer for the first time. Medicinal applications of this plant lead to the monitoring of these compounds for their hypoglycemic activity, which is of little importance compared to their cytotoxic effects. They have been used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and the drugs have even been used as disinfectants. Nevertheless, the vinca alkaloids are so important for being cancer fighters. The mechanism of action of vinblastine sulfate has been related to the inhibition of microtubule formation in the mitotic spindle, resulting in an arrest of dividing cells at the metaphase stage. Vinblastine is an antineoplastic agent used to treat Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, mycosis fungoides, cancer of the testis, Kaposi's sarcoma, Letterer-Siwe disease, as well as other cancers.

Colchicine is an alkaloid obtained from the plant colchicum autumnale (also known as "meadow saffron"). Colchicine is an alternative medication for those unable to tolerate NSAIDs in gout. Mechanism of action of colchicine is inhibition of microtubule polymerization by binding to tubulin. Availability of tubulin is essential to mitosis, so colchicine effectively unctions as a "mitotic poison" or spindle poison.

Combretastatin A4 is a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) that targets tumor vasculature to inhibit angiogenesis. Combretastatin A4 is a tubulin-binding agent that binds at or near the colchicine binding site of β-tubulin and inhibits tubulin assembly. This tubulin-binding agent was originally isolated from an African shrub, Combretum caffrum. Combretastatin A4 is cytotoxic to umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to a range of cells derived from primary tumors and these cytotoxicity profiles have been used to assess several novel analogs of the drug for future development. Combretastatin A4 has antitumor activity by inhibiting AKT function. The inhibited AKT activation causes decreased cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and reduced in vitro migration/invasiveness and in vivo metastatic ability. Several studies in mice have shown that a single administration of combretastatin A4 (100 mg/kg) does not significantly affect primary tumor growth. However, repeated administration (12.5 – 25.0mg/kg twice daily) for periods of 10 – 20 days resulted in approximately 50% retardation of growth of ectopic Lewis lung carcinoma and substantial growth delay of T138 spontaneous murine breast tumors. In clinical studies, Combretastatin A4 has been well tolerated in patients at doses up to 56 mg/m2, following a protocol of five daily 10-minute intravenous infusions every 21 days. The disodium combretastatin A4 phosphate prodrug is currently undergoing clinical trials in the UK and USA.

Crolibulin is a tubulin-disrupting agent, interacting at the colchicine-binding site, developed by EpiCept Corporation (which was later acquired by Immune Pharmaceuticals). The compound exhibits anti-cancer effect by vascular disruption and inhibition of apoptosis. In preclinical animal tumor models, combination therapy with crolibulin has demonstrated the synergistic activity with cytotoxic drugs as well as anti-angiogenic drugs, such as Avastin. The drug was investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer and has demonstrated a positive effect.

Plinabulin (formerly known as NPI-2358) is a potent microtubule-destabilizing agent that exerts its effect by binding to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. Plinabulin projects its potent antitumor activity against a broad spectrum of tumor cell lines. This drug in combination with docetaxel is under development by BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals in a worldwide Phase 3 clinical trial for non-small cell lung cancer. Pegfilgrastim is also in phase II clinical trial for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, where docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC) were used as the chemotherapy. Plinabulin also possessed antitumor activity in animal models with multiple myeloma cancer cells, where the JNK protein appeared to be a primary target of plinabulin.