京都大学化学研究所的杉浦教授等受美国布里斯托尔、迈亚子公司的委托,弄清该公司发现的具有极强抗癌活性的抗生物质esperamycine的作用机制。杉浦查明此物质优先攻击DNA的蛋白酶碱,特异性地切断DNA链。其抗癌活性约为阿霉素的1千倍。该公司已在1988年秋在欧洲开始临床试验。但是,作为抗癌药在实用上除精制量少、价高以外,还存在耐 Professor Sugiura from the Kyoto University’s Institute of Chemistry, etc., was commissioned by the Bristol and Maya subsidiaries of the United States to ascertain the mechanism of action of the company’s anti-biomass esperamycine, which has a strong anti-cancer activity. Sugiura identified the protease base that preferentially attacks DNA and specifically cuts the DNA strand. Its anticancer activity is about one thousand times that of doxorubicin. The company began clinical trials in Europe in the fall of 1988. However, as an anticancer drug, practically, in addition to the small amount of purification and the high price, there is resistance.