Reflections on the Temozolomide Story

摘要

Reflecting on events over the past 19 years, Professor Stevens identifies a number of critical events. First, the identification of temozolomide was not just a matter of luck, and nor was it a question of plucking a compound at random from the many which had been synthesised. Professor Stevens has the same attitude as golfer Gary Player who, when told he was lucky, said, "Yes, and the funny thing is, the more I practise the luckier I get." In the same way, Professor Stevens argues, the development of these compounds occurred among prepared minds "ready to make use of the luck if it runs your way." After all, but for the stubborn persistence of the research team, the development of these compounds could have died with mitozolomide.