Sea cucumber compound could be key to a new cancer therapy

Photo: Florida Sea Cucumber (Holothuria floridana)). Photo credit: Sean P. Myers via iNaturalist / Wikimedia. CC0 1.0. Article by Paul McClure. New Atlas – June 10, 2025. Source: University of Mississippi. Research article: Glycobiology.

The sea cucumber has been found to naturally produce a sugary compound that inhibits an enzyme instrumental in facilitating cancer growth, according to a new study. The next step is to find a method for producing the marine-derived anticancer compound in large quantities. Used for centuries in traditional medicines, particularly in Asia, sea cucumbers are rich in bioactive compounds with potential medicinal benefits. In 2023, we reported that the marine creatures contained key ingredients that could delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. […]

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