Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential
There is a wide variety of cancer types yet, all share some common cellular and molecular behaviors. Most of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment are designed to target common deregulated mechanisms within cancer cells. Many healthy tissues are also affected by the cytotoxic effects...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2015-04-01
|
| Series: | Marine Drugs |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/13/4/2327 |
| _version_ | 1798039511797596160 |
|---|---|
| author | Farzaneh Atashrazm Ray M. Lowenthal Gregory M. Woods Adele F. Holloway Joanne L. Dickinson |
| author_facet | Farzaneh Atashrazm Ray M. Lowenthal Gregory M. Woods Adele F. Holloway Joanne L. Dickinson |
| author_sort | Farzaneh Atashrazm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is a wide variety of cancer types yet, all share some common cellular and molecular behaviors. Most of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment are designed to target common deregulated mechanisms within cancer cells. Many healthy tissues are also affected by the cytotoxic effects of these chemical agents. Fucoidan, a natural component of brown seaweed, has anti-cancer activity against various cancer types by targeting key apoptotic molecules. It also has beneficial effects as it can protect against toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Thus the synergistic effect of fucoidan with current anti-cancer agents is of considerable interest. This review discusses the mechanisms by which fucoidan retards tumor development, eradicates tumor cells and synergizes with anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Challenges to the development of fucoidan as an anti-cancer agent will also be discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:54:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d4ed7ba51b34a68b66aa21e1a0cd5b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1660-3397 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:54:54Z |
| publishDate | 2015-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Marine Drugs |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d4ed7ba51b34a68b66aa21e1a0cd5b92022-12-22T04:01:08ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972015-04-011342327234610.3390/md13042327md13042327Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor PotentialFarzaneh Atashrazm0Ray M. Lowenthal1Gregory M. Woods2Adele F. Holloway3Joanne L. Dickinson4Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaMenzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaMenzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaSchool of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaMenzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaThere is a wide variety of cancer types yet, all share some common cellular and molecular behaviors. Most of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment are designed to target common deregulated mechanisms within cancer cells. Many healthy tissues are also affected by the cytotoxic effects of these chemical agents. Fucoidan, a natural component of brown seaweed, has anti-cancer activity against various cancer types by targeting key apoptotic molecules. It also has beneficial effects as it can protect against toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Thus the synergistic effect of fucoidan with current anti-cancer agents is of considerable interest. This review discusses the mechanisms by which fucoidan retards tumor development, eradicates tumor cells and synergizes with anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Challenges to the development of fucoidan as an anti-cancer agent will also be discussed.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/13/4/2327fucoidancancerapoptosissynergy |
| spellingShingle | Farzaneh Atashrazm Ray M. Lowenthal Gregory M. Woods Adele F. Holloway Joanne L. Dickinson Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential Marine Drugs fucoidan cancer apoptosis synergy |
| title | Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential |
| title_full | Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential |
| title_fullStr | Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential |
| title_short | Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential |
| title_sort | fucoidan and cancer a multifunctional molecule with anti tumor potential |
| topic | fucoidan cancer apoptosis synergy |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/13/4/2327 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT farzanehatashrazm fucoidanandcanceramultifunctionalmoleculewithantitumorpotential AT raymlowenthal fucoidanandcanceramultifunctionalmoleculewithantitumorpotential AT gregorymwoods fucoidanandcanceramultifunctionalmoleculewithantitumorpotential AT adelefholloway fucoidanandcanceramultifunctionalmoleculewithantitumorpotential AT joanneldickinson fucoidanandcanceramultifunctionalmoleculewithantitumorpotential |