Publisher's Synopsis
The impact of camptothecin and its derivatives on topoiomerase I in studies on nude mice points to anticancer potential that has not yet been fully realized and developed. The 1996 Academy conference research on the camptothecins launched major advances in understanding camptothecin's mechanism of action; the development of new derivatives; and to a second generation of camptothecin-based chemotherapies. These proceedings papers unfold this potential in four areas: mechanisms of action for the natural compound and current derivatives; chemical possibilities of modifying camptothecin; novel derivatives; and novel routes of administration that enhance camptothecin's lactone ring stability, which appears vitally important for maintaining anticancer activity in humans. The science of camptothecin-base anticancer is balanced by clinical and pharmacology topics including drug resistance, new analogs and potential therapies for premature asthma and for bone marrow.
