NCIt definition : The cryptophycins are a family of 16-membered macrolide antimitotic agents isolated
from the cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. The mechanism of anticancer activity of the cryptophycins
has been associated with their destabilization of microtubules and induction of bcl-2
phosphorylation leading to apoptosis. Cryptophycins demonstrated activity against
the wide spectrum of solid tumors including those that overexpress the multidrug resistance
efflux pump P-glycoprotein. (NCI);