Antiviral and Antitumor Possibilities with Mycalamide

Mycalamide is an antiviral compound derived from the New Zealand sponge, Mycale. There are two recurring compoiunds, Mycalamide A and Mycalamide B. In regards to its antiviral properties, studies are still being conducted on it given the possibility of aiding HPV (herpes) cures. However, in recent years, there has been greater emphasis on the potential antitumor properties of Mycalamide. From the isolation of Mycalamide A, an evaluation of the compound as an antitumor agent is still being conducted due to its “in vivo activity against P388 murine leukemia and a variety of solid tumor model systems” (Perry, 223). Currently, Mycalamide research is still awaiting further clinical trials due to compounds occurring in sponges in the wild being ecologically unsustainable. However, chemical synthesis is a potential option albeit complicated to process.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/jo00288a037

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