Scientists develop anti-cancer drug from sea algae

Scientists have identified a new anti-cancer drug that has been isolated from a toxic blue-green algae found in the South Pacific ocean.

They say the compound is “structurally unique and highly potent”.

“We envision it will be perfect for emerging technology, particularly nanotechnology, which is being developed to target cancerous tumours without toxic side effects,” said Dwayne Stupack, associate professor of pathology at the Moores UCSD Cancer Centre.

The researchers found the compound somocystinamide A (ScA) – also known as mermaids’ hair – off the coast of Fiji in the South Pacific.

After testing the marine compound they discovered that it inhibits neovascularisation, the formation of blood vessels that feed tumours.

It was also found to have a direct impact on tumour cell proliferation.

Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), the researchers say if a regular-sized swimming pool of cancer cells were treated with ScA it would only take 3mg to kill of all the cells.

“The compound isn’t toxic to the cyanobacteria itself, but activates a ‘death pathway’, present in our cells,” said Dr Stupack.

“When the cells of the blood vessels that feed tumours become activated and proliferate, they become especially sensitive to this agent.”

He added: “ScA is the first and most potent compound we’ve identified so far but we don’t yet know how abundant ScA is, or if it’s feasible to harvest, so it is important that we have been able to produce this natural product in the lab.”