Enzyme–Prodrug Therapies of Cancer

Since the early twentieth century, many researchers have sought Ehrlich’s elusive magic bullet for treating the ills of mankind. The principle of chemotherapy has depended on a compound exhibiting selective toxicity towards a foreign organism. With respect to cancer chemotherapy, it was envisaged that compounds would be identified or synthesized that would be able to distinguish between normal and neoplastic cells and selectively correct or eradicate the abnormal cells with minimal toxic side effects on normal cells and tissue. Cancer chemotherapy has rarely achieved this.