THE USE OF SHARK CARTILAGE EXTRACTS IN POSSIBLE THERAPIES AGAINST CANCER: AREVIEW

• Main Authors: Gláuber Fernando Ratzkob, Caio Parahyba Ravagnani, Felipe Nichele Buschle, Marcelle Droher, Rodrigo Augusto de Miranda Bertin, Vitor Artur Marochi Musia, Cleber Machado de Souza
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia 2015-06-01
• Series: Revista Saúde.com
• Subjects: Cartilage; Neoplasms; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; carcinogenesis
• Online Access: http://www.uesb.br/revista/rsc/ojs/index.php/rsc/article/view/261/301

The study aims to discuss the use of extracts derived from shark cartilage in potential cancer therapies. This is a literature review based on literature by consulting the scientific articles selected in the Medline, Scopus and DOAJ database. Twenty-seven articles were included after applying the inclusion and not inclusion criteria established by the authors. The selected studies revealed that ther are some extracts derived from shark cartilage with anticancer properties. These properties are mostly related to the blockade of angiogenesis and some extracts also have action on the immune system and inhibition of metastases. The best known shark cartilage extract is the formulation of Neovastat® (AE-941), which was successful in studies conducted in the laboratory, but failed in clinical trials in humans, and therefore ceased to be developed in 2007. Nevertheless, yetmany extracts are under review, and these studies will be important to confirm or not the feasibility and applicability of the use of shark cartilage extracts in the treatment of cancer.