Pharmaceutical development of anticancer agents derived from marine sources

• Published in: Anti-cancer drugs Vol. 11; no. 10; pp. 793 - 811
• Main Authors: Nuijen, B, Bouma, M, Manada, C, Jimeno, J M, Schellens, J HM, Bult, A, Beijnen, J H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-11-2000
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Marine Biology; Marine Toxins - chemistry; Marine Toxins - isolation & purification; Marine Toxins - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0959-4973; 1473-5741
• DOI: 10.1097/00001813-200011000-00003

The marine ecosystem is more and more acknowledged as a source of potential anticancer agents. After the identification of a potential substance several hurdles have to be overcome before a marine candidate can enter the clinic. Amongst these are the establishment of a method which ensures sufficient supply and, which is the focus of this review, the development of a clinically useful pharmaceutical formulation. General issues with respect to the pharmaceutical development of marine anticancer agents will be discussed, which will be illustrated by highlighting aspects of the pharmaceutical development and clinical use of some representative compounds.