Biology-oriented synthesis of a tetrahydroisoquinoline-based compound collection targeting microtubule polymerization.

In the third place: Inspired by the tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) alkaloid noscapine, inhibitors of tubulin polymerization that bind to a site different from the colchicine and the vinca alkaloid binding sites have been synthesized. One compound is more potent than noscapine in HeLa cells and can overcome resistance to chemotherapeutics.