maytansine and Nasopharyngeal-Neoplasms

Some pharmacologic properties of nine antitumor agents from higher plants are described. The agents are vincristine, vinblastine the epiodophyllotoxin derivatives VM-26 and VP-16-213, maytansine, bruceantin, thalicarpine, camptothecin, and lapachol. When sufficient information is available, the agents are discussed with regard to their antitumor activity, mechanism of action, pharmacologic disposition, structure-activity relationships, and toxicity.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Aporphines; Camptothecin; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Etoposide; Humans; Leukemia L1210; Leukemia, Experimental; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Maytansine; Melanoma; Naphthoquinones; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Experimental; Phenanthrenes; Structure-Activity Relationship; Teniposide; Vinblastine; Vincristine