Antitumoral compounds from vertebrate sister group: A review of Mediterranean ascidians. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mauro, Manuela; Lazzara, Valentina; Punginelli, Diletta; Arizza, Vincenzo; Vazzana, Mirella
• Is Part Of: Developmental and comparative immunology. Volume 108(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Antitumoral -- Bioactive compound -- Cancer -- Drug development -- Invertebrates -- Tunicates; Immunology -- Periodicals; Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-305X

Abstract

Abstract: Among the diseases that afflict the human population, cancer is one for which many drug treatments are not yet known or effective. Moreover, the pharmacological treatments used often create serious side effects in sick patients and for this reason, it is essential to find effective and less harmful treatments. To date, marine biodiversity is a real source of metabolites with antitumoral activity and among invertebrates' ascidians have been the main source to obtain them. Mediterranean area is the richest in biodiversity and contains several ascidian species used in drugs development during the years. However, many more Mediterranean ascidian species have not been studied and could be a source of useful bioactive compounds. This review aims to summarize the scientific studies that analyzed the antitumor compounds obtained from different Mediterranean ascidians species, encouraging them to search further compounds in other new species to improve pharmacological treatments and human population life. Highlights: Antitumoral compounds from Mediterranean ascidian extracted to date. Baseline to search further compounds in other species to improve pharmacological treatments. Mediterranean ascidian species as a useful source of bioactive compounds for incurable cancers.