[Deep ocean. Photo Credit to Rawpixel]

Natural anticancer substances capable of triggering cancer cell death have been discovered in organisms living around deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, invading adjoining body parts and potentially spreading to other organs.

While traditional anticancer compounds like curcumin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, indole-3-carbinol, and others have led to the development of drugs such as Anastrozole, Letrozole, and Eliquis. 

However, researchers continue to search for more effective treatments as current medications cannot conquer all cancer cases.

The focus has now shifted to hydrothermal vents, mysterious underwater formations first discovered in 1977 near the Galapagos Islands.

These vents from when cold seawater percolates down oceanic crust fissures, where it’s heated by hot magma to temperatures reaching 350 degrees Celsius before reemerging.

What makes these environments particularly intriguing is their thriving ecosystems.

Scientists have documented over 300 animal species per square meter around these vents despite the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic compound lethal to humans at just 15 mg.

Remarkably, these organisms have adapted to gain energy from this deadly substance.

As the marine biotechnology market expands, many countries are accelerating their research into these unique organisms around hydrothermal vents.

One notable discovery is Cyclodepsipeptides, a natural compound that  inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma. 

This substance was isolated from Aspergillus clavatus C2WU, a fungus found in Xenograpsus testudinatus, a crab species inhabiting the extreme toxic environment of Taiwan’s Kueishantao vents. 

Another promising discovery is Benzoquinone, which has shown potential in treating gastric and breast cancer by inducing cell death through inducing the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. 

As scientists worldwide participate in research on organisms around hydrothermal vents, a Korean research team has also conducted studies focused on finding anticancer substances in these environments.

Korean scientist, Heejae Shin of the Korean Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) identified 10 new types of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory substances around hydrothermal vents. 

According to the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion, one of these anticancer substances derived from this research has demonstrated strong anticancer activity without toxicity or weight loss in animal trials, showing promise for future drug development.

While cancer continues to be one of humanity’s most formidable  medical challenges, the discovery of various anticancer compounds from hydrothermal vents represents a promising frontier in cancer research.

These unique anticancer substances identified through deep-sea explorations offer new hope for improving cancer treatments worldwide.

As research progresses, the international scientific community watches with keen interest as the depths of Earth’s oceans may harbor the next breakthrough in cancer therapy.