Plants as a source of anti-cancer agents

Plant-derived compounds have been an important source of several clinically useful anti-cancer agents. These include vinblastine, vincristine, the camptothecin derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan, etoposide. derived froth epipodophyllotoxin, and paclitaxel (taxol(R)). A number of promising new agents are in clinical development based on selective activity against cancer-related molecular targets, including flavopiridol and combretastin A4 phosphate, while some agents which failed in earlier clinical studies are stimulating renewed interest. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.