Abstract: The spindle checkpoint is an important cell-cycle surveillance mechanism that ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation during mitosis and is required for genetic stability. It has become increasingly clear that malfunction of the cell-cycle surveillance mechanism involving the spindle checkpoint contributes to cancer formation. Accumulated evidence shows that deregulated expression, genotypic polymorphism or promoter methylation of the mitotic checkpoint components are associated with tumourigenesis. Anti-cancer drugs disrupt the normal function of the mitotic spindle and cause spindle checkpoint-mediated mitotic arrest and/or apoptosis. Delineating the precise regulatory mechanisms of the spindle checkpoint will provide novel effective strategies in anticancer treatment.

Key words: Mitotic spindle apparatus, Neoplasms, Mitosis, Chromosome segregation, Cell cycle