Cancer Research Institute

Dr. Cherry L. Herald, Associate Director

The Discovery of New Anticancer Drugs

from Marine, Terrestrial and Microbiological Sources

For over 38 years, professional chemists, biochemists, biologists, and microbiologists at the Cancer Research Institute, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) have endeavored to discover new anticancer drugs that can be added to the therapeutic arsenal. Promising new compounds discovered at ASU-CRI from a variety of marine animals and terrestrial plants are now being tested in human cancer patients, including: Bryostatin 1 (from a marine bryozoan); Dolastatin 10 (from a sea hare); Combretastatin A4 (from an african tree); Pancratistatin (from an african amaryllis); Spongistatin (from a marine sponge). Under the Direction of Dr. G. Robert Pettit, ASU-CRI is at the forefront of the fight against cancer.

Several anticancer drugs discovered at ASU-CRI have been stored as .pdb files and may be viewed using either:

Chemscape Chime viewer

RasMol (RasWin). viewer.

(Hint! While viewing the following structures, be sure to try the left and right mouse buttons.)

Bryostatin 1 , now in Phase II human trials at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center and elsewhere.

Dolastatin 10 , now in Phase 1 human clinical trials at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and other NCI member institutions.

Pancratistatin, ; now in preclinical development.

Combretastatin A4 , an anti-angiogenesis drug is now being developed by Oxigene. Phase 1 trials of Combretastatin will be held at Mount Vernon Hospital in Middlesex, England; the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center; and the University Hospital of Cleveland, Ireland Cancer Center, Case Western University.

Spongistatin 1 , now in preclinical development.

Cephalostatin 1

Please Note:

ASU-CRI is involved in research work only. Please do not direct inquiries concerning cancer treatment to ASU-CRI. For those seeking assistance in the treatment of cancer, please direct your inquiries instead to one of the NCI-DESIGNATED CANCER CENTERS.

ASU-CRI Support Facilities

The discovery of new anticancer constituents from natural sources involves a progressive series of refinement and isolation steps, from the crude extracts of the plant or animal, to a final pure compound. Once pure, an important prerequisite for subsequent drug development is the determination of the chemical structure and accurate biological activity of the new anticancer agent. To assist in this complex task, the professional staff at ASU-CRI may rely on several of the following facilities.

In-House Facilities:

Outside Facilites:

CANCER INFORMATION

For more information on cancer and cancer treatments, please visit:

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CancerTrack is an extensive directory of useful medical information concerning all types of cancer and treatment.

CancerNet

A wide range of accurate, credible cancer information. Information located in CancerNet has been reviewed by oncology experts and is based on the results of current research of the:




Searchable medical reference databases concerning cancer, AIDS research and much more!

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Technology and Licensing

ASU-CRI has a number of our newly developed drugs which are available for technology collaboration and licensing. If interested, check the following link.

Well...not any more!! The ASU-CRI group have now moved into our new building. Click on the sign above to see the construction of our building during the past year and our new quarters now.

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ASU-CRI Support Facilities

In-House Facilities:

Outside Facilites:

Well...not any more!! The ASU-CRI group have now moved into our new building. Click on the sign above to see the construction of our building during the past year and our new quarters now.

The Pagemaster is Del Herald