Antitumor lectins from algae: A systematic review

• Published in: Algal research (Amsterdam) 2023-03, Vol.70, p.102962, Article 102962
• Main Authors: de Arruda, Maria Carla Santana, da Silva, Maria Rafaele Oliveira Bezerra, Cavalcanti, Vivianne Lays Ribeiro, Brandao, Romero Marcos Pedrosa Costa, Viana Marques, Daniela de Araújo, de Lima, Luiza Rayanna Amorim, Porto, Ana Lúcia Figueiredo, Bezerra, Raquel Pedrosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Cancer; Cyanobacteria; Macroalgae; Molecular mechanism; Natural drugs
• ISSN: 2211-9264; 2211-9264
• DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102962

Cancer is a generic term that refers to a set of chronic diseases characterised by unrestricted growth of cells capable of invading other tissues. Currently available therapeutic strategies are invasive and most of them are limited by their high toxicity to healthy cells. It is estimated that there will be 30.2 million new cases, with mortality higher than 50 % of the population in reproductive age up to 20 years. Thus, new therapies to low cytotoxicity are necessary. This review analysed the antitumor effects of lectins obtained from algae (macroalgae, microalgae and cyanobacteria), their biochemical characteristics and mechanisms of action, since they could be a potential source for antitumor bioactive. A systematic review was carried out in different databases, including original studies from 2010 to 2022. A total of 106 articles were independently assessed according to the eligibility criteria, of which 11 articles were selected and assessed for the risk of bias using seven criteria developed by the authors. Red macroalgae lectins were the most studied, followed by studies with cyanobacteria. Most of these proteins were purified, but only a few were characterised showing monomeric and dimeric characteristics with molecular weight from 17 to 120 kDa. It was shown that carbohydrate moiety is the primary entry pathway for lectins into cancer cells. These proteins were evaluated against nine different types of cancer, mainly breast cancer. Some species did not show antineoplastic activity, but most lectins inhibited cell proliferation, triggered cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis through regulation of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Furthermore, immunomodulatory mechanisms were also identified, which is considered a valuable resource in the treatment of cancer. Solieria filiformis lectin proved to be the most promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of breast cancer. Therefore, algae lectins are a potential tool for antitumor therapy. [Display omitted] •The antitumor activity of lectin from macroalgae was the most studied.•There are no reports about microalga lectin with antitumor activity.•Lectins from algae/cyanobacteria have anticancer activity.•Breast cancer, osteosarcoma and colon cancer strains were more sensitive to theses lectins.