FTIR spectral signature of anticancer drugs. Can drug mode of action be identified?

Infrared spectroscopy has brought invaluable information about proteins and about the mechanism of action of enzymes. These achievements are difficult to transpose to living organisms as all biological molecules absorb in the mid infrared, with usually a high degree of overlap. Deciphering the contribution of each enzyme is therefore almost impossible.

FTIR spectral signature of anticancer drug effects on PC-3 cancer cells: is there any influence of the cell cycle?

FTIR spectroscopy was recently demonstrated to be a useful tool to obtain a unique fingerprint of several anticancer drugs. While cell responses to anticancer drugs are related to their "mode of action", it is obvious that some of the drugs used in the previous studies affect the cell cycle. For example, antimicrotubules disable the mitotic apparatus by disrupting the formation or the depolymerisation of microtubules.