High-throughput screening of natural products for cancer therapy

Natural products have been the biggest single source of anticancer drugs and there are continued efforts to explore the chemical diversity provided by nature in order to find new lead compounds. Bioassay test methods have developed into high throughput screening assays using both cell-based and molecular approaches. The various ways to detect effects on cell viability and cell proliferation are summarised and examples are given of developments using three-dimensional cultures and cancer stem cells. Cell-based reporter assays have also been created in order to look more directly for effects on specific physiological pathways. The molecular assays include those directed at microtubules and related proteins and at many different protein kinases.