Investigating Nature's Mysteries for Drug Development
Organisms—including marine invertebrates—are collected from
around the world and sent to NCI where researchers look for
compounds that show potential anticancer activity. Living in the
competitive environment of a coral reef, marine invertebrates,
such as delicate sea squirts and immobile sponges, must find
creative ways to protect themselves. For some organisms, having
an arsenal of toxic chemicals is what keeps them alive.
Scientists in NCI-Frederick's Natural Products Branch (NPB) are
exploring ways to harness these chemicals, and those from other
plant, animal, and microbial sources, for drug discovery.
Interest in natural products for drug development has waxed and
waned, but there's no denying their importance in oncology,
according to NPB Chief Dr. David Newman. Today, over half of the
drugs approved to treat cancer come from a natural product or a
natural product prototype. At NCI-Frederick, researchers look
for active toxic compounds from natural