Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Anticancer drug discovery in the future: an evolutionary perspective

Xianghui Ma1, Zhiwen Wang

  • 1Department of Biochemical Engineering, Tianjin University, People's Republic of China. tju.ma.xh@gmail.com

Drug Discovery Today
|October 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Discovering new anticancer drugs can be accelerated by screening natural compounds from ancient species. This evolutionary approach enhances the identification of novel cancer therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Anticancer drug discovery traditionally relies on screening natural products.
  • Serendipitous discoveries have historically played a significant role in identifying anticancer agents.
  • The evolutionary nature of cancer remains underexplored for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose an evolutionary framework for anticancer drug discovery.
  • To demonstrate how an evolutionary perspective can accelerate the identification of novel cancer therapeutics.
  • To highlight the potential of natural compounds from ancient species.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing existing literature on anticancer drug discovery.
  • Analyzing case studies of natural product-derived anticancer agents.
  • Applying evolutionary principles to the search for new cancer drugs.

Main Results:

  • Targeted screening of natural compounds from ancient species significantly increases the rate of anticancer drug discovery.
  • An evolutionary perspective provides a novel framework for understanding and controlling cancer progression.
  • Case studies illustrate the successful application of this approach.

Conclusions:

  • An evolutionary approach to drug discovery offers a powerful strategy for identifying new anticancer agents.
  • Natural compounds from ancient species represent a promising, yet underexplored, resource for cancer therapeutics.
  • Integrating evolutionary biology with pharmacology can revolutionize cancer drug development.

More Related Videos

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms08:46

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

Automating Tumor Implantation in Zebrafish Larvae for Cancer Research and Medicine06:14

Automating Tumor Implantation in Zebrafish Larvae for Cancer Research and Medicine

Published on: September 19, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Drug Discovery: Overview01:26

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...