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Recent Discoveries on Marine Organism Immunomodulatory Activities

Summary

Scientists are discovering that creatures from the ocean produce powerful substances that can help our immune system fight diseases like cancer and inflammation. These marine organisms—from tiny algae to sponges to fish—create natural compounds that can either boost or calm down our immune response depending on what we need. Several of these ocean-derived medicines are already approved for treating serious diseases, and many more are being tested in clinical trials. The ocean covers 70% of our planet and most of it remains unexplored, suggesting there are many more beneficial compounds waiting to be discovered.

Background

Marine organisms represent a valuable source of biologically active compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. The ocean’s vast biodiversity and unique chemical structures of marine natural products make them promising candidates for drug discovery. Studies have demonstrated that marine-derived compounds can modulate immune responses relevant to cancer, inflammation, and immune-mediated diseases.

Objective

This review focuses on summarizing recent findings on marine organisms’ immunomodulatory activities discovered in the last three years. The aim is to report on pure molecules, promising raw extracts, and fractions with potential immunomodulatory applications, while discussing new scientific trends and directions in the field.

Results

Three marine-derived immunomodulatory drugs are currently on the market: Adcetris (2011), Polivy (2019), and Blenrep (2020). Numerous compounds from microorganisms and macroorganisms show immunomodulatory activity including polysaccharides, peptides, and pigments. Key findings demonstrate that low-molecular-weight polysaccharides and specific pigments have superior immunomodulatory effects on immune cells.

Conclusion

Marine organisms provide a rich source of immunomodulatory compounds with therapeutic potential for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases, and immune system disorders. Further investigation of marine species, particularly from unexplored deep-sea and extreme environments, could yield novel bioactive compounds. The combination of multiple analytical techniques is essential for clarifying immunomodulatory mechanisms of action.
  • Published in:Marine Drugs,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/md20070422, PMID: 35877715
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