Cardiovascular cytotoxic drugs from marine source

 

1. Ziconotide (Prialt)

• Source: Cone snails (Conus magus).
• Mechanism of Action: Calcium channel blocker that inhibits neurotransmitter release by blocking N-type calcium channels.
• Clinical Use: Used for the treatment of severe chronic pain, which has cardiovascular implications, particularly in managing pain-related stress responses.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Source: Marine fish oils (e.g., salmon, mackerel).
• Mechanism of Action: Reduction of triglycerides, anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of endothelial function.
• Clinical Use: Used in the management of hyperlipidemia, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and reduction of arrhythmias.

3. Ecteinascidin-743 (Trabectedin)

• Source: Sea squirt (Ecteinascidia turbinata).
• Mechanism of Action: Binds to the minor groove of DNA, interfering with cell division and inhibiting transcription factors.
• Clinical Use: Though primarily used as an anticancer agent, it has potential cardiovascular applications in managing cancer-related cardiovascular complications.

4. Discodermolide

• Source: Marine sponge (Discodermia dissoluta).
• Mechanism of Action: Stabilizes microtubules, similar to the action of paclitaxel.
• Clinical Use: Investigated for cancer treatment, with potential cardiovascular benefits in the context of cancer-related therapies.

Cytotoxic Drugs from Marine Sources

1. Trabectedin (Yondelis)

• Source: Sea squirt (Ecteinascidia turbinata).
• Mechanism of Action: Binds to the DNA minor groove, causing DNA backbone cleavage and inhibiting transcription.
• Clinical Use: Used to treat soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer.

2. Brentuximab Vedotin (Adcetris)

• Source: Marine cyanobacteria (Symploca species).
• Mechanism of Action: Antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD30 and releases monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), which disrupts microtubules.
• Clinical Use: Used in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

3. Cytarabine (Ara-C)

• Source: Sponge (Cryptotethya crypta).
• Mechanism of Action: Nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA polymerase, leading to DNA synthesis inhibition.
• Clinical Use: Used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and other hematologic cancers.

4. Vidarabine (Ara-A)

• Source: Sponge (Cryptotethya crypta).
• Mechanism of Action: Inhibits viral DNA polymerase, leading to termination of viral DNA synthesis.
• Clinical Use: Used as an antiviral agent, particularly in the treatment of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses.

5. Eribulin (Halaven)

• Source: Marine sponge (Halichondria okadai).
• Mechanism of Action: Inhibits microtubule dynamics, leading to G2-M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
• Clinical Use: Used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and liposarcoma.

Summary

Marine sources offer a rich diversity of bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential. Cardiovascular drugs derived from marine organisms include ziconotide and omega-3 fatty acids, which have applications in managing pain and reducing cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. Cytotoxic drugs such as trabectedin and eribulin have shown efficacy in treating various cancers. Continued research into marine-derived compounds promises further advancements in cardiovascular and cancer therapies.