Bleomycin and other bioactive compounds: chemical studies and production

This thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by publication is based on a series of published manuscripts on the anti-cancer agent bleomycin and related compounds that the candidate coauthored while employed in the CSIRO. A large number of known and new bleomycins and phleomycins were produced by Dr Hart, for studies on the amplification of their antibiotic and antitumor activities by caffeine and other compounds. The benefits of enhancing the activity of anticancer drugs by compounds that alone have no anticancer activity, was considered by other researchers to be “one of the most promising routes of rational design of such drugs”. This unique collection of compounds was also used in studies of factors that produce lung fibrosis in some patients being treated with bleomycin. The ultimate benefit to society from this work has been the establishment by Dr Hart of the Australian manufacture of the anticancer agent bleomycin sulphate for the world market, using the processes he had developed to make these compounds.