In vitro production of marine-derived antitumor compounds

摘要

The sustainable supply of marine-derived bioactive compounds to meet demands for pre-clinical and clinical evaluation is a major consideration in drug development strategies. It is also a concern to environmental resource managers, particularly since conservation of genetic resources may preclude harvesting as a bulk supply strategy. Our research addresses this need by focusing on in vitro production of antitumor compounds through cell culture of the source organisms. Our objectives are: to establish cultures of bioactive marine invertebrates that can be used as models to study in vitro production of antitumor compounds and the factors which control expression of their production; to provide bulk supplies of these compounds through in vitro production; and to produce new structural analogs via manipulation of culture conditions.