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Marine-Derived Steroids for Cancer Treatment: Search for Potential Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor
Ekaterina M Zhidkova1, Ekaterina D Savina1, Ekaterina A Yurchenko2
1Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center for Oncology, Kashirskoe Shosse 24-15, Moscow 115478, Russia.
Marine Drugs
|October 28, 2025
Summary
Marine-derived steroids show promise as novel anti-cancer agents. These compounds may offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared to traditional treatments, potentially acting as selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are vital in cancer therapy but have significant adverse effects.
- Drug discovery seeks selective agents with improved therapeutic indices.
- Natural products, especially marine-derived steroids, are a rich source of bioactive molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review marine-derived steroids and their anti-cancer activities.
- To identify compounds with both anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
- To explore the potential of these steroids as selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists/modulators.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of PubMed, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov (1986-2025).
- Keyword searches included "steroids", "cancer", "marine-derived steroids", and "selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists".
- In silico analysis of selected marine-derived compounds was performed.
Main Results:
- Identified marine-derived steroids with significant anti-cancer activity.
- Highlighted compounds exhibiting both anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Preliminary in silico data supports the hypothesis of glucocorticoid receptor interaction.
Conclusions:
- Marine-derived steroids represent a promising avenue for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
- Compounds with selective glucocorticoid receptor activity may offer enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.
- Further research into these natural products could lead to improved cancer treatment strategies.
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