A team of UCSD researchers has discovered a new, highly
potent cancer-fighting drug isolated from a toxic algae found in the South
Pacific Ocean. Researchers found that the drug, called
somocystinamide A, inhibits the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors and
directly impacts the process of tumor cell proliferation.

Headed by Dennis Carson, a professor of medicine and
director of the Rebecca and John Moores
Cancer Center,
the research team discovered the ScA compound in the cyanobacteria L.
Majuscula, gathered off the coast of Fiji
by the laboratory of William Gerwick at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

“We are excited because we have discovered a structurally
unique and highly potent cancer-fighting compound,” associate professor of
pathology at the Moores Cancer Center Dwayne G. Stupack said in a statement.
“We envision it will be perfect for emerging technology, particularly
nanotechnology, which is being developed to target cancerous tumors without
toxic side effects.”

Senior project scientist at the Moores Cancer Center Wolf
Wrasidlo said that the drug’s unique structure makes it well-suited to be used
with nanotechnology due to its tendency to incorporate spontaneously into
molecule-sized nanoparticles. This sort of behavior is important for the type
of highly targeted combination therapy currently under development for cancer
treatment. The drug’s structure is also simple enough that the research team is
able to reproduce it.

“ScA is the first, and most potent compound we’ve identified
so far,” Stupack said.