title: Why is cancer drug discovery so difficult?
abstract: Thirty-five years after the 'war on cancer' was declared, the discovery of anticancer drugs remains a highly challenging endeavour. Here, we consider the factors responsible, such as tumour heterogeneity, and suggest strategies to improve the chances of short-term success in the development of novel anticancer drugs.
authors.affiliation: Amgen, 1120 Veterans Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94010, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamb
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lengauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate