Cancer Inhibiting Compound in the Ocean?

    Thanks to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, researchers could be well on their way to making a drug that inhibits the cancer cell growth. So far it has only been tested in laboratory settings, and has not been used in drugs, but the discovery is promising nonetheless.

    So what did they find? A marine compound found off the coast of Key Largo. The university has patented the compound, named largazole,  named for its Florida location, and structural features. The compound is derived from cyanobacteria  that grow on coral reefs. This discovery and research has been the most promising since the school opened the marine laboratory three years ago. 

    The drug works by inhibiting a family of enzymes that is associated with several types of cancer. Once these enzymes are inhibited, tumour suppressing genes are activated that were originally deactivated by the cancer.  

    The results were presented at an international natural products scientific meeting in Athens, Greece.  The scientists and researchers are currently working on completing additional research.

    Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D, an assistant professor for University of Florida's department of medicinal chemistry revealed that in the next few months they are planning to test whether or not largazole reduces to prevents tumor growth in mice.

   "The opportunities for  marine drug discovery are spectacular. We have only scratched the surface," said Luesch.  

    Many researchers and scientists have searched the depths of the oceans for natural products and cures, but many have moved onto alternatives because natural products are considered too costly and time consuming to develop. Many medications due come from natural products, but the ocean offers many compounds that have yet to be researched and discovered. Only 14 marine products are in trial and development states today. Europe has even approved the first ever marine derived anticancer agent.

"Marine study is in its infancy," said William Fenical, Ph.D, a professor of oceanography and pharmaceutical sciences at the University of California.