Abstract
Natural products have provided a rich source of biologically active compounds and have contributed several of our most active anticancer drugs. For example, doxorubicin is a bacterial product, while paclitaxel is extracted from the yew tree, Taxus brevifolia. Many marine organisms have been found to contain pharmacologically active novel toxic compounds and have possibly evolved these as a defense mechanism against predators. Historically, extracts from marine organisms have been used more with the intention of poisoning for political advantage than for therapeutic purposes. The following excerpt shows that the Romans were well aware of the potential of organisms found in the sea: “Domitian (81-96) was accused (probably wrongly) of poisoningwithsea-harehisbrotherTitus(whodiedunexpectedly at the age of 42, probably of malaria), and Agricola, governorofBritain(Tac.Agr.43).” 1 So far, a limited number of compounds discovered in marine organisms have undergone clinical trials with the more charitable intention of improving the treatment of cancer. Among these are dolastatins, ecteinastatins, and didemnins. A phase I trial of dehydrodidemnin-B (aplidine) is reported in this issue. 2
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
