The aim of the Centre is
to discover and develop small molecule drugs acting on new molecular
targets that are defined by the genomics and molecular pathology
of cancer, together with gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy
(GDEPT). To achieve this aim the Centre has a multidisciplinary
team structure and has established a range of modern technologies
to accelerate the drug discovery process, including high throughput
screening, combinatorial chemistry, gene expression microarrays
and high throughput pharmacokinetic analysis (cassette dosing).
We also have a range of established academic and commercial collaborations
to help develop new therapies quickly and effectively for patient
benefit.
The identification, validation
and selection of new targets is facilitated by our three molecular
biology teams that have interests in cell cycle control, angiogenesis
and apoptosis. New drug leads are identified by high throughput
screening and complemented by structural biology collaborations.
Optimisation of these leads is then carried out by medicinal and
combinatorial chemistry, where possible in collaboration with
our X-ray crystallography colleagues in The Institute, followed
by evaluation in our teams that specialise in molecular pharmacology,
pharmacokinetics and tumour biology. Finally, novel agents, from
within our own Centre and elsewhere, are taken into early evaluation
in patients by our clinical team, in association with the Section
of Medicine and The Royal Marsden Hospital. A wide range of drug
discovery and development projects are underway and
are described in detail in the Projects
Database.
As elsewhere in The
Institute report, results are reported according to the work carried
out by discipline-based laboratory Teams. In practice, the drug
discovery and development work is carried out by multidisciplinary
Project Teams made up of members of several different laboratory
Teams. The work is therefore highly integrated and collaborative.
Relevance to the
NHS of the Research Programme
The development of novel
anticancer drugs is a high priority for NHS R & D. All of
our work in the Centre is directed to that end. The focus is firmly
on molecularly targeted therapy for cancer. Particular care is
taken to develop molecular biomarkers that allow proof of principle
to demonstrate the intended mechanism of action, as well as to
devise the optimum dose and schedule of administration. The development
of assays to identify patients who show molecular dependence on
a particular target or pathway is also a high priority.
Highlights
of 2004
Key
Future Aims
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Staff
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Centre
Structure
Target
Identification, Validation & Selection:
Development
of Preclinical Drug & Gene Therapy:
Clinical Evaluation
of
New
Treatments:
Last Modified
9/5/05
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