Recent advances of selenized tubulin inhibitors in cancer therapy

We reviewed the synthesis strategies of selenized tubulin inhibitors in the past decades, hoping to find more effective and secure chemotherapeutics in cancer therapy. [Display omitted] •The introduction of selenium atoms into organic compounds could change the length and angle of chemical bonds, thus changing their functional properties.•Proper selenized tubulin inhibitors could enhance anti-tumor effects.•β-lactam and 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives have the strongest inhibitory activities on cancer cells proliferation. Cancer treatment always a huge challenge amidst the resistance and relapse caused by the various treatments. Inhibitors targeting mitosis have been considered as promising therapeutic drugs in clinic, of which tubulins play an important role. Selenium (Se) as an essential microelement in humans and animals, playing a crucial role in the formation of anti-oxidase (glutathione peroxidase) and selenoprotein, also attracted broad attention in cancer therapy. Because the introduction of Se atom could change the length and angle of chemical bond and alter their functional properties, regulating selenized chemotherapeutics has become one of the hot spots. However, little attention has been paid to studying the combination of Se and tubulin inhibitors. Herein, we review the latest research results of selenized tubulin inhibitors in cancer therapy, including its mechanisms, categories and biological activities, providing a theoretical basis for different selenized microtubules inhibitors therapies.