title: Case histories, magic bullets and the state of drug discovery.
abstract: The case histories of five modern drugs are taken as a basis for reflection on the state of drug discovery. Two issues intimately associated with drug research are highlighted: the nature of the intellectual process leading to new discoveries; and the possibility that the principle of selective efficacy, which has guided drug research from its beginnings, might need modification, at least in some areas of pharmacotherapy.
authors.affiliation: jurgendrews@comcast.net
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drews
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001549:Benzamides; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001549:Benzamides; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate