Marine-Derived Steroids for Cancer Treatment: Search for Potential Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists/Modulators (SEGRAM)

Steroids, particularly glucocorticoids, are essential components of cancer treatment for both hematological malignancies and solid cancers. The adverse effects of standard steroid-based drugs have forced drug discovery research to develop chemotherapeutics with a more selective mechanism of action and, therefore, an improved therapeutic index. Steroids of natural origin and their analogs represent a significant source of novel molecules with a wide spectrum of biological activities. In the presented review, we aimed to analyze marine-derived steroids and their anticancer activity. Moreover, we discussed more specifically the molecules with not only anti-cancer but also anti-inflammatory activities that could potentially mimic the effects of glucocorticoids. We hypothesized that several of the reviewed compounds could reveal the affinity to glucocorticoid receptor, and, furthermore, could possess the properties of selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists/modulators with increased therapeutic activity and decreased side effects.