Submit

Login Login

Register Register

Home / Journals / OR / Online First / doi:10.32604/or.2026.082155
Journal Menu
Special Issues
Table of Content

All issues

Online First

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Past Issues

Open Access

REVIEW

Targeting Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility: Past and Novel Strategies for Cancer Therapy

Lucrezia Paradisi, Lorenza Trabalzini, Federica Finetti*
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
* Corresponding Author: Federica Finetti. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Cancer Therapeutics)

Oncology Research https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2026.082155

Received 11 March 2026; Accepted 16 July 2026; Published online 31 July 2026

Abstract

Cytoskeletal reorganization is fundamental to essential cellular processes, including shape maintenance, migration, adhesion cytokinesis, and phagocytosis, and its dysregulation is a hallmark of tumor progression. In cancer cells, altered cytoskeletal dynamics promote invasion and genomic instability resulting from mitotic defects. The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons are highly dynamic polymer networks that organize intracellular architecture, establish polarity, and generate the mechanical forces required for cell division and motility. Their dysregulation disrupts normal cell behavior and facilitates tumor invasion and metastasis. The cytoskeleton therefore represents a key source of potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting metastatic dissemination. This review focuses on recent anticancer strategies targeting cytoskeletal and motility-associated pathways, including microtubule-directed agents, actin-modulating compounds, inhibitors of focal adhesion signaling, modulators of intermediate filament dynamics, and regulators of cytoskeletal crosstalk. Collectively, these strategies underscore the central role of cytoskeleton in cancer progression and highlight its potential as a promising therapeutic target.

Keywords

Cancer therapy; metastasis; cytoskeleton; cancer cell motility; microtubule targeting agents; microfilament targeting agents; antimetastatic drugs

  • 105

    View

  • 40

    Download

  • 0

    Like

Related articles
Copyright© 2026 Tech Science Press
© 1997-2026 TSP (Henderson, USA) unless otherwise stated

Share Link