Marine Power on Cancer: Drugs, Lead Compounds, and Mechanisms

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with millions of new cases and deaths annually.
• The ocean's diverse organisms are a promising source for novel anticancer drug discovery.
• Despite potential, few marine-derived drugs have gained FDA approval for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anticancer effects and mechanisms of action of selected marine compounds.
• To highlight the therapeutic potential of marine natural products in oncology.
• To summarize key marine-derived anticancer agents and their clinical status.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on marine compounds and cancer.
• Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating anticancer activity.
• Compilation of data on approved marine-derived drugs and investigational agents.

Main Results:

• Selected marine compounds exhibit potent anticancer activities against various cancers.
• Mechanisms of action include cytotoxicity, anti-angiogenesis, and immune modulation.
• Examples of studied compounds include eribulin, trabectedin, and adcetris.

Conclusions:

• Marine compounds represent a valuable resource for developing new anticancer therapies.
• Future drug development necessitates advanced biochemical approaches and novel therapeutic targets.
• Efficient isolation and synthesis of marine natural products are crucial for clinical translation.