Sponges
collected from rock pools in south Wales could be a source
of new drugs to combat breast and lung cancer, say researchers.
A
team from the Welsh School of Pharmacy found extracts from
the Hymeniacidon sponge contain compounds which can block
cancer growth.
Medicinal compounds from marine organisms have traditionally
been found in species in warm or tropical seas.
Details were presented to the British Pharmaceutical Conference.
Preliminary lab tests have shown that extracts from the sponge
are highly effective at inhibiting growth in human breast
cancer and small cell lung cancer cell lines.
Lead researcher Dr Alex White said the sponges had been dried
out, and then ground into a powder.
This enabled the scientists to extract compounds to test on
cells - but at this stage it was still unclear exactly which
of the extracts had a positive effect.
Dr White said: "The sponge is made up of a complex mixture
of compounds.
"The next step is to try to characterise the natural products
responsible for the anti-proliferative properties and to identify
lead compounds for further development.
"It is not uncommon to find extracts from marine organisms,
especially sponges, which have this type of activity.
"But British sponges, and their medicinal properties, are
largely unexplored and have untapped potential for the discovery
of new drugs."
Instead of mouths sponges have tiny pores on their outer walls
through which water is drawn.
Cells in the sponge filter out nutrients from the water as
it is pumped through its body and out other larger openings.
Sponge cells perform a variety of bodily functions and appear
to be more independent of each other than are the cells of
other animals.
Rich potential
Dr Kat Arney, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Creatures and
plants from the sea are a rich source of potential anti-cancer
agents, and these results suggest there are possible new treatments
hiding within British sea sponges.
"But the research is still at a very early stage and these
experiments have only been done in laboratory-grown cells.
"Scientists need to discover precisely which molecules within
the sponge are responsible for the effects and how they work.
"They will then need to find out if they have an anti-cancer
effect on tumours in humans."
Dr Sarah Rawlings, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer,
agreed.
She said: "Although this research is certainly fascinating,
it's too early to say whether compounds from these sponges
could be used to treat breast cancer patients.
"More work is needed but studies like this are to be welcomed
as they are important in helping find possible new treatments
for the future."
Dr Emma Pennery, a nurse consultant with the charity Breast
Cancer Care, said: "We know from talking with women affected
by breast cancer every day that this research will be met
with interest."
