CYTOTOXIC COMPOUNDS FROM A 2-SPONGE ASSOCIATION

Investigation of the cytotoxic constituents of a two-sponge associatio n (Poecillastra sp. and Jaspis sp.) led to the isolation of pectenotox in II [1] and psammaplin A as the active compounds. In an in vitro cel l culture assay, 1 displayed very potent cytotoxic activities against human lung (A-549), colon (HT-29), and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell line s. Pectenotoxin II also exhibited selective cytotoxicity against sever al cell lines representing ovarian, renal, lung, colon, CNS, melanoma, and breast cancer, with differences in LC(50) values between sensitiv e and resistant cell lines of 100-fold or more.