Mitotic inhibitors in chemotherapy include which of the following?

Mitotic inhibitors are a class of chemotherapy drugs that specifically target the process of cell division (mitosis) to prevent cancer cells from replicating. Taxanes and vinca alkaloids fall into this category as they interfere with the mitotic spindle formation and function.

Taxanes, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, work by stabilizing microtubules and preventing their disassembly, which disrupts the normal mitosis process. This leads to apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in rapidly dividing tissues, including cancerous cells.

Vinca alkaloids, such as vincristine and vinblastine, have a different mechanism; they inhibit the polymerization of tubulin into microtubules, thereby preventing the formation of the mitotic spindle, which is necessary for chromosome segregation during cell division.

In contrast, the other options listed do not classify as mitotic inhibitors. Alkylating agents damage the DNA directly, while hormonal agents and topoisomerase inhibitors affect cancer cell growth and replication through different mechanisms, but do not directly inhibit the mitotic process. This specificity of action makes taxanes and vinca alkaloids recognized as mitotic inhibitors in chemotherapy.