Marine natural products in the discovery and development of potential pancreatic cancer therapeutics

Adv Cancer Res. 2019:144:299-314. doi: 10.1016/bs.acr.2019.05.003. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer one of the most deadly cancers and is an increasingly significant concern for global health. The death rates for pancreatic cancer have changed little over time, even with recent expansions of first-line drugs to treat pancreatic cancer there has been little improvement in patient prognosis. Any improvements in treatment strategies will come as a much-needed reprieve to patients diagnosed with this uniquely-challenging disease. Greater attention is needed regarding the identification and development of novel chemotherapeutic strategies with unique mechanisms of action. The marine environment with its particularity has provided a diverse source of novel structural compounds with interesting activities. The marine natural products reported from 2006 to 2018 with compelling activity and potential for the control of pancreatic cancer based on in vitro and in vivo results will be summarized. A key goal of this review is to draw attention to those molecules that warrant additional preclinical development studies.

Keywords: Marine natural products; Pancreatic cancer; Promising bioactivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Marine Biology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biological Products