# NOVEL ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS FROM HIGHER PLANTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · PURDUE UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $174,416

## Abstract

This research project is designed to carry out the isolation and structural
elucidation of novel antineoplastic agents from higher plants which have
confirmed activity in various cell culture (9ASK, 9KB, 9PS, human lung) and
animal tumor models (P388 mouse leukemia).  In addition to
bioassay-directed fractionation we will employ tandem MS analysis to detect
analogs of the significant lead compounds homoharringtonine (Cephalotaxus),
psorospermin (Psorospermum) and podolactone C (Podocarpus species).
Structural work is underway on pure actives from Cephalotaxus,
Psorospermum, and Desfontainia.  Fractionation is underway on Annona
densicoma, Claopodium crispifolium, Psorospermum febrifugum and others with
confirmed antineoplastic activity.  A total of about 60 active plants are
available for study.  Additional leads will be developed through botanical
contacts.  Novel cell culture systems designed to target tubulin and
specific human tumors will be employed.  All novel actives will be
submitted to the NCI for evaluation in the NCI animal tumor panel.  This
research will provide additional novel antineoplastic agents which have
clinical potential.  Compounds discovered will also serve as structural
prototypes for analog synthesis and as biochemical tools which may aid in
the elucidation of novel mechanisms of growth control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3171254
- **Project number:** 5R01CA033326-06
- **Recipient organization:** PURDUE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YRXVL4JYCEF5
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN M CASSADY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $174,416
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-09-30 → 1988-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3171254

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3171254, NOVEL ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS FROM HIGHER PLANTS (5R01CA033326-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3171254. Licensed CC0.

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