Exploring marine-derived compounds as potential anti-cancer agents: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Marine-derived compounds have emerged as a promising frontier in cancer research due to their remarkable structural diversity and broad-spectrum bioactivities. The marine environment, encompassing diverse organisms (e.g., sponges, algae, tunicates, mollusks, and marine microbes), is a prolific source of novel bioactive molecules with potent anti-cancer properties. Key classes of these compounds include alkaloids, polysaccharides, peptides, terpenoids, and polyketides, which exert anti-tumor effects through diverse mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, modulation of immune responses, interference with cell cycle progression, and targeting of critical signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Notably, marine-derived drugs such as trabectedin, eribulin, and plitidepsin have received regulatory approval for the treatment of various malignancies, demonstrating the translational potential of these natural compounds. Ongoing clinical and preclinical investigations are exploring a wide range of marine metabolites for their cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and chemosensitizing properties. Advances in marine biotechnology, including genome mining, synthetic biology, and fermentation technologies, have significantly facilitated the discovery, sustainable production, and structural optimization of marine natural products. However, challenges such as low yield, structural complexity, limited water solubility, and poor bioavailability hinder their broader clinical application. The integration of novel drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and conjugates, offers a viable solution to overcome these limitations and improve pharmacokinetic profiles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and clinical development of marine-derived anti-cancer compounds. It also emphasizes the need for deeper insights into their molecular targets and the potential for synergistic use with existing chemotherapeutic agents. Future directions should focus on exploring untapped marine biodiversity, developing eco-friendly harvesting strategies, and developing innovative delivery platforms to fully harness the therapeutic promise of the marine pharmacopeia in oncology.