Abstract
The discovery of marine-derived compounds for the treatment of cancer has seen a vast increase over the last few decades. Bioanalytical assays are pivotal for the quantification of drug levels in various matrices to construct pharmacokinetic profiles and to link drug concentrations to clinical outcomes. This review outlines the different analytical methods that have been described for marine-derived drugs in cancer treatment hitherto. It focuses on the major parts of the bioanalytical technology, including sample type, sample pre-treatment, separation, detection, and quantification.
Highlights
Researchers have roamed the seas and oceans in search of organisms possessing chemicals that could exhibit therapeutic effects
We have looked into various assays that were modified in order to substitute the structural analogue with a stable isotopically labeled (SIL) internal standard, and we have demonstrated this for a marine-derived anticancer compound kahalalide F as well [126]
For mass spectrometer (MS) methods, matrix effects could be most effectively compensated for the quantification of the parent drug and its metabolites if the analytes co-elute with the SIL internal standard; the method should be sufficiently selective if the analytes are isomers, or if there is a risk that conjugates are re-converted into the parent drug in the source during ionization
Summary
Researchers have roamed the seas and oceans in search of organisms possessing chemicals that could exhibit therapeutic effects. Many marine-derived compounds have complex molecular structures and different challenges arise Their structural elucidation and chemical synthesis might be difficult, and the complex molecules may include many potential bioactive moieties, which make it difficult to identify a single mechanism of action [13,14]. Despite these challenges, the discovery of new cancer treatments originating from marine-derived animals or plants is very much in the spotlight today. The demands for sensitive and specific analytical technologies for the determination and quantification of cytotoxic drugs in biological matrices are high These methods provide the means to construct pharmacokinetic profiles, to determine drug exposure during treatment, and to evaluate if target concentrations are reached. This review provides a comprehensive list of analyses of marine-derived compounds in various biological matrices published over the last few decades, which could potentially serve as a guide for newly discovered or synthesized drugs from marine origin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
