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Limitations of a random screen: Search for new anticancer drugs in higher plants

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Abstract

The inherent limitations of a random search of higher plants for novel cancer chemotherapeutic agents are reviewed—the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Anticancer Screening Program. A graphic summary of plant exploration for the NCI is depicted on a world map showing 58 floristic regions. It is estimated that less than one-half of the world flora is economically feasible for collection. Random screening of approximately 35,000 species has led to guidelines that precluded further screening of all species in 333 genera and another 2,905 species in 1,773 genera. These taxa are reported to represent one-half to two-thirds of the species that characterize vegetation in geographic areas most frequently explored for the NCI. It is estimated that 40,000 untested species of flowering plants are readily available and meet the NCI guidelines for antitumor screening. However, because of apparent diminishing returns from random screening of chemicals in plant genera, it is suggested that a good representation of the diversity in the world flora could be obtained in 10,000 collections, if random sampling follows the phytogeographic outline that is recommended. Modifications to the screening methodology might be geared to an expected point of diminishing returns for discovering novel chemotypes. Additionally, the NCI should continue random screening to increase the development of new anticancer drugs; past screening has generated a tremendous wealth of data. Finally, in this paper, the author proposes to utilize lists representing taxa commonly collected for the NCI to create a manual of worldwide common plants.

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    Richard W. Spjut

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Spjut, R.W. Limitations of a random screen: Search for new anticancer drugs in higher plants. Econ Bot 39, 266–288 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858796

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