My research has concentrated on developing, characterising and using model systems to identify the clinical potential of novel molecules and in particular to provide pharmacology data to aid selection of appropriate molecules for early clinical trials.

My early work with flavone acetic acid back in the late 1980's had demonstrated the importance of the blood supply in the response of experimental tumours to this compound and despite lack of clinical activity with that particular molecule it indicated the potential of anti-vascular therapy should a molecule that retained its activity in man be identified. As a result I have maintained an interest in studying molecules with anti-vascular action and in collaboration with Professor Bob Pettit (Arizona) have studied a series of natural products including combretastatins. Combretastatin A-4 phosphate was active in our systems but more recently we showed that another analogue combretastatin A-1 phosphate had superior activity and suggests this is a candidate for clinical study. Studies with the anthraquinone N-oxide AQ4N that demonstrated activity in combination with other cytotoxic drugs in refractory tumour models and described the preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism helped in the selection of this agent for clinical trial and in the design of the Phase I clinical trial protocol. As a result of this expertise the Bradford laboratory has carried out the PK analysis in the clinical trial. Latterly my work has concentrated on developing model systems in which to identify pharmacodynamic endpoints. In particular I have worked to improve assays that will help to speed up the selection of new drugs for clinical study.