Bioactive compounds from marine algae in pancreatic cancer therapy: mechanistic insights into fucoidan and phlorotannins: a review.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal tumors, marked by a dismal prognosis, few treatment alternatives, and resistance to standard pharmacological interventions. Marine algae are becoming a source of bioactive chemicals with significant anticancer properties. This review examines fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, and phlorotannins, polyphenols exclusive to brown algae, emphasizing their therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms in pancreatic cancer. Fucoidan inhibits tumor proliferation, promotes apoptosis, regulates immune responses, and prevents metastasis via pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB. Phlorotannins demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition properties while inhibiting oncogenic signaling. Investigations on synergistic interactions with chemotherapeutics and nanodelivery methods that improve bioavailability are conducted. The discussion encompasses toxicological characteristics, pharmacokinetics, and existing research gaps to tackle translational issues. These discoveries collectively highlight the potential of marine algae chemicals as adjunctive approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment and stress the necessity for additional preclinical and clinical research.