Using daffodils to create cancer treatments

The use of natural compounds, including those obtained from daffodils called pancratistatin and narciclasine, are being explored by researchers for the potential treatment of cancer.

Pancratistatin and narciclasine exhibit potent anti-cancer activities, but their availability is very limited, making it impossible to obtain them in sufficient quantities to be considered as viable drug candidates.

A new methodology

Currently, many steps are required to make these products synthetically, and so they have been deemed unsuitable for further detailed biological evaluation and clinical development. However, one of our research groups, led by Dr Lorenzo Caggiano from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, has developed and published a new synthetic methodology which is addressing this issue.

The group is now applying the methodology to make new compounds which are closely related to the pancratistatin and narciclasine found in daffodils. This technique allows the research team to improve the efficiency of the process whilst retaining the anti-cancer potency of the compounds.

Cancer research at Bath

We have a dedicated cancer research network that facilitates interaction between departments and institutes to allow multi-disciplinary activities in the field of cancer research.

The network provides a forum to enable discussion and collaboration between academics, clinicians, students, and interest groups. It promotes opportunities for interdisciplinary research and aims to promote awareness of cancer research both within academia and the wider community.

The network currently includes around 40 researchers and a wealth of high-impact projects in the field of cancer research.