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Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1998 8 NATURE | VOL 393 | 28 MAY 1998 301 Sir — In an article on bioprospecting 1 , one of us (D. N.) was quoted to the effect that “only one sample in 250,000 will directly yield a commercial drug, although many more samples may serve as useful leads for modification through combinatorial chemistry”. It was not made clear that this estimate is based on data from the antibiotics industry 2,3 and refers specifically to drug discovery from microbial sources. These data should not be translated directly to other natural sources, such as plants and marine organisms. With estimates of the number of terrestrial plant species ranging from 250,000 to 400,000, the implication would be that only one or two commercial anti- cancer drugs might be developed from this source. This is an erroneous conclusion. Indeed, the experience of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) with the screening of plants between 1960 and 1982 indicates that some 35,000 samples (leaves, bark, roots and so on), derived from an estimated 12,000 species collected mainly from temperate regions, yielded two highly significant anti-cancer drugs, paclitaxel (Taxol) and camptothecin (which has been converted so far into two commercial products, topotecan and irinotecan), and homoharringtonine, which shows significant clinical efficacy against several leukaemias. This gives a success rate of one in about 4,000 species tested for activity in one disease category. A substantial improvement in the ‘hit’ rate can be expected with expanded screening. We wish to emphasize that the NCI is continuing to explore the potential of nature as a source of novel pharmacophores in collaboration with the extramural scientific community. Where feasible, collection contracts are being replaced by direct collaboration with qualified organizations in the source countries, particularly in the investigation of plants. Gordon M. Cragg David J. Newman Stringner Sue Yang Natural Products Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, PO Box B, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA e-mail: [email protected] 1. Macilwain, C. Nature 392, 535–540 (1998). 2. Omura, S. in The Future of Antibiotherapy and Antibiotics Research (eds Bost, P. E. et al.) 389–405 (Academic, New York, 1981). 3. Rake, J. B. et al. J. Antibiotics 39, 58–67 (1986). correspondence No laughing matter Sir — Andrew Birch’s pun (Nature 392, 745; 1998) on gas and bubble chambers trivializes genocide in much the same spirit as the revisionists who are the subject of the accompanying article. “Revisionism” appears there euphemistically for the support of Nazi political aims and their contemporary offshoots. Birch’s belief that gas chambers are now worth a thigh- slapper indicates irresponsible ignorance or disregard of recent history. I hope something will be done to prevent further cartoons in Nature joking about the other methods of the Holocaust to degrade and destroy its victims, for example beating, shooting, starvation and so on. Reflection by some on the historical role of science, especially in this century, has led to attempts to humanize the relation between science and society. Birch’s cartoon does not add to the discussion. Michael G. Vicker Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, D-28359 Bremen, Germany e-mail: [email protected] Andrew Birch replies: Far from trivializing genocide, the object of my cartoon was to ridicule the revisionists and the French National Front, and I feel that in that context the pun was justified. Just because a subject is of the utmost seriousness surely does not mean that one cannot use humour to make a political point. I obviously regret giving offence to Michael Vicker, but I hope the revisionists were more offended. Andrew Birch Calle Gigantes 19, 29008 Malaga, Spain Unreliable errors Sir — The article on Emil Abderhalden and his fraudulent “defence enzymes” (Nature 393, 109–111; 1998) brought back memories. When I was a graduate student at Columbia University in 1950, engaged in developing methods of peptide synthesis, I found that almost invariably I could not repeat Abderhalden’s experiments. In one of my most frustrated moods, I asked my mentor, Dr Erwin Brand, if Abderhalden was always wrong. “No,” he said. “He is not that reliable”. Bernard F. Erlanger Department of Microbiology, Columbia University, 701 West 168 Street, New York, New York 10032, USA Bioprospecting for drugs No convergence for references Sir — Here are a few examples of how the reference to a hypothetical paper entitled “Europe and Euro” would appear in different scientific journals: Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. & Neri, C. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (1998). (Nature) Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–12. (J. Exp. Botany) Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C (1998) Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 400: 500–512 (Planta) Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. 1998. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 400:500–512. (RNA) Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C., Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 1998. 400: 500–512. (Eur. J. Immunol.) Rossi,T.A., Bianchi,B. and Neri,C. (1998) Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem., 400, 500–512. (Embo J.) Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) Europe and Euro. Journal of Biological Chemistry 400, 500–512. (Toxicon) Rossi, T.A., B. Bianchi, and C. Neri. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400:500–512. (J. Exp. Med.) Rossi, T. A., B. Bianchi, and C. Neri. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400: 500. (J. Immunol.) Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 1998, 400, 500–512. (Eur. J. Cancer) Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 1998; 400:500–12. (Clin. Exp. Immunol.) Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B., and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (J. Biol. Chem.) Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (Biochem. J.) Rossi, T.A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512. (FEBS Lett) Rossi,T.A., Bianchi,B. and Neri,C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem., 400, 500–512. (Nucleic Acids Res.) T. A. Rossi, B. Bianchi, C. Neri, J. Biol. Chem 400, 500 (1998) (Science) The list could be longer. And we have not taken into account the two alternatives for bibliography: alphabetical list of references or numbers in order of appearance. In the latter case the numbers may be 1 or 1. or [1], etc. We propose that the year of Euro, in which 11 countries (and we hope they will soon be more) join in the use of the same currency, should also be the year in which scientific journals in Europe (and possibly throughout the world) join in the same way of handling bibliography. Simonetta Sperti Fiorenzo Stirpe Maurizio Brigotti Dipartimento di Patologia sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy e-mail: [email protected]
Transcript of document
Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1998
8
NATURE | VOL 393 | 28 MAY 1998 301
Sir — In an article on bioprospecting1, oneof us (D. N.) was quoted to the effect that“only one sample in 250,000 will directlyyield a commercial drug, although manymore samples may serve as useful leads formodification through combinatorialchemistry”. It was not made clear that thisestimate is based on data from theantibiotics industry2,3 and refers specificallyto drug discovery from microbial sources.These data should not be translated directlyto other natural sources, such as plants andmarine organisms.
With estimates of the number ofterrestrial plant species ranging from250,000 to 400,000, the implication wouldbe that only one or two commercial anti-cancer drugs might be developed from thissource. This is an erroneous conclusion.
Indeed, the experience of the USNational Cancer Institute (NCI) with thescreening of plants between 1960 and 1982indicates that some 35,000 samples (leaves,bark, roots and so on), derived from anestimated 12,000 species collected mainlyfrom temperate regions, yielded two highlysignificant anti-cancer drugs, paclitaxel(Taxol) and camptothecin (which has beenconverted so far into two commercialproducts, topotecan and irinotecan), and
homoharringtonine, which showssignificant clinical efficacy against severalleukaemias. This gives a success rate of onein about 4,000 species tested for activity inone disease category. A substantialimprovement in the ‘hit’ rate can beexpected with expanded screening.
We wish to emphasize that the NCI iscontinuing to explore the potential ofnature as a source of novel pharmacophoresin collaboration with the extramuralscientific community. Where feasible,collection contracts are being replaced bydirect collaboration with qualifiedorganizations in the source countries,particularly in the investigation of plants.Gordon M. Cragg David J. Newman Stringner Sue YangNatural Products Branch,Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis,National Cancer Institute, PO Box B,Frederick,Maryland 21702-1201, USAe-mail: [email protected]
1. Macilwain, C. Nature 392, 535–540 (1998).
2. Omura, S. in The Future of Antibiotherapy and Antibiotics Research
(eds Bost, P. E. et al.) 389–405 (Academic, New York, 1981).
3. Rake, J. B. et al. J. Antibiotics 39, 58–67 (1986).
correspondence
No laughing matterSir — Andrew Birch’s pun (Nature 392, 745;1998) on gas and bubble chamberstrivializes genocide in much the same spiritas the revisionists who are the subject of theaccompanying article. “Revisionism”appears there euphemistically for thesupport of Nazi political aims and theircontemporary offshoots. Birch’s belief thatgas chambers are now worth a thigh-slapper indicates irresponsible ignorance ordisregard of recent history.
I hope something will be done toprevent further cartoons in Nature jokingabout the other methods of the Holocaustto degrade and destroy its victims, forexample beating, shooting, starvation andso on. Reflection by some on the historicalrole of science, especially in this century,has led to attempts to humanize the relationbetween science and society. Birch’s cartoondoes not add to the discussion.Michael G. Vicker Biology/Chemistry,University of Bremen,D-28359 Bremen,Germany e-mail: [email protected]
Andrew Birch replies: Far from trivializinggenocide, the object of my cartoon was toridicule the revisionists and the FrenchNational Front, and I feel that in thatcontext the pun was justified. Just because asubject is of the utmost seriousness surelydoes not mean that one cannot use humourto make a political point. I obviously regretgiving offence to Michael Vicker, but I hopethe revisionists were more offended.Andrew BirchCalle Gigantes 19,29008 Malaga,Spain
Unreliable errorsSir — The article on Emil Abderhalden andhis fraudulent “defence enzymes” (Nature393, 109–111; 1998) brought backmemories. When I was a graduate studentat Columbia University in 1950, engaged indeveloping methods of peptide synthesis, Ifound that almost invariably I could notrepeat Abderhalden’s experiments.
In one of my most frustrated moods, Iasked my mentor, Dr Erwin Brand, ifAbderhalden was always wrong. “No,” hesaid. “He is not that reliable”.Bernard F. ErlangerDepartment of Microbiology,Columbia University,701 West 168 Street,New York, New York 10032, USA
Bioprospecting for drugs
No convergence for referencesSir — Here are a few examples of how the reference to a hypothetical paper entitled“Europe and Euro” would appear in different scientific journals:
Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. & Neri, C. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (1998). (Nature)
Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–12. (J. Exp. Botany)
Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C (1998) Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 400: 500–512 (Planta)
Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. 1998. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 400:500–512. (RNA)
Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C., Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 1998. 400: 500–512. (Eur. J. Immunol.)
Rossi,T.A., Bianchi,B. and Neri,C. (1998) Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem., 400, 500–512. (Embo J.)
Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) Europe and Euro. Journal of Biological Chemistry 400, 500–512. (Toxicon)
Rossi, T.A., B. Bianchi, and C. Neri. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400:500–512. (J. Exp. Med.)
Rossi, T. A., B. Bianchi, and C. Neri. 1998. Europe and Euro. J. Biol. Chem. 400: 500. (J. Immunol.)
Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 1998, 400, 500–512. (Eur. J. Cancer)
Rossi TA, Bianchi B, Neri C. Europe and Euro. J Biol Chem 1998; 400:500–12. (Clin. Exp. Immunol.)
Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B., and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (J. Biol. Chem.)
Rossi, T. A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512 (Biochem. J.)
Rossi, T.A., Bianchi, B. and Neri, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 400, 500–512. (FEBS Lett)
Rossi,T.A., Bianchi,B. and Neri,C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem., 400, 500–512. (Nucleic Acids Res.)
T. A. Rossi, B. Bianchi, C. Neri, J. Biol. Chem 400, 500 (1998) (Science)
The list could be longer. And we have not taken into account the two alternatives forbibliography: alphabetical list of references or numbers in order of appearance. In the lattercase the numbers may be 1 or 1. or [1], etc.
We propose that the year of Euro, in which 11 countries (and we hope they will soon bemore) join in the use of the same currency, should also be the year in which scientificjournals in Europe (and possibly throughout the world) join in the same way of handlingbibliography.Simonetta SpertiFiorenzo StirpeMaurizio BrigottiDipartimento di Patologia sperimentale,Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy e-mail: [email protected]
