Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Apr 14;13(4):2327-46.
doi: 10.3390/md13042327.

Fucoidan and cancer: a multifunctional molecule with anti-tumor potential

Farzaneh Atashrazm  1 , Ray M Lowenthal  2 , Gregory M Woods  3 , Adele F Holloway  4 , Joanne L Dickinson  5
Affiliations
Review

Fucoidan and cancer: a multifunctional molecule with anti-tumor potential

Farzaneh Atashrazm et al. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

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.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of main signal transduction pathways involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Cooper G.M. The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 2nd ed. Sinauer Associates; Sunderland, MA, USA: 2000. The development and causes of cancer.
    1. Joo W.D., Visintin I., Mor G. Targeted cancer therapy—Are the days of systemic chemotherapy numbered? Maturitas. 2013;76:308–314. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.09.008. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cohen P.R., Bedikian A.Y., Kim K.B. Appearance of new vemurafenib-associated melanocytic nevi on normal-appearing skin: Case series and a review of changing or new pigmented lesions in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma after initiating treatment with vemurafenib. J. Clin. Aesthet. Dermatol. 2013;6:27–37. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Huang V., Hepper D., Anadkat M., Cornelius L. Cutaneous toxic effects associated with vemurafenib and inhibition of the braf pathway. Arch. Dermatol. 2012;148:628–633. doi: 10.1001/archdermatol.2012.125. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dotan E., Aggarwal C., Smith M.R. Impact of rituximab (rituxan) on the treatment of b-cell non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. P T. 2010;35:148–157. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms