Marine-derived Natural Products as Anticancer Agents

Cancer is a deadly human disease on the rise due to changes in lifestyle, nutrition, and global warming. Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled, disordered, and undesired cell division. About 60% of cancer medicines approved by the FDA are made from natural ingredients. Intensive efforts over the last decade to better understand the vast chemical diversity provided by marine life have resulted in an intriguing marine pipeline of potential anticancer clinical and preclinical treatments. The molecular targets of marine products as anticancer drugs, as well as different reported compounds acting on distinct targets, are the topic of this review.

Automated summary

Cancer is a deadly disease that is increasing in prevalence due to changes in lifestyle, nutrition, and global warming. About 60% of FDA-approved cancer medicines are derived from natural ingredients. Recent efforts to exploit the chemical diversity of marine life have led to the discovery of potential anticancer treatments. This review discusses the molecular targets of marine products as anticancer drugs and the compounds that have shown activity against these targets.