Protein kinases as targets for developing anticancer agents from marine organisms

Area of Science:

• Marine biotechnology
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Protein kinases are crucial for intracellular signaling and are key targets for cancer therapy.
• Marine organisms are a valuable source of novel anticancer compounds.
• Many marine-derived bioactive ingredients impact protein kinase-mediated pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review marine-derived anticancer compounds targeting protein kinases.
• To discuss their mechanisms of action and progress in recent years.
• To highlight challenges and future prospects in developing marine-based kinase inhibitors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of anticancer compounds from marine sources.
• Focus on compounds targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and EGFR pathways.
• Analysis of molecular entities and modes of action.

Main Results:

• Marine compounds demonstrate significant anticancer potential by modulating key kinase pathways.
• Recent progress showcases the therapeutic promise of these natural products.
• Specific marine compounds targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and EGFR were identified.

Conclusions:

• Marine-derived compounds represent a promising avenue for novel anticancer drug development.
• Targeting protein kinases remains a vital strategy in cancer treatment.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges in developing marine-based kinase inhibitors.