An all-female team of researchers from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) has made a significant breakthrough in the search for cancer treatments. Their study explored the anti-cancer potential of a chemical compound from a Philippine blue sponge, Xestospongia sp., particularly in fighting metastatic breast cancer.
Led by Dr. Gisela Concepcion, the team—Dr. Lilibeth Salvador-Reyes, Zildjian Acyatan, Shalice Susana-Guevarra, Myra Ruth Picart, and Eliza Belen—focused on the compound renieramycin M (RM). When paired with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Dox), RM dramatically shrank tumors in mice while lowering the toxic side effects typically seen in chemotherapy.
The researchers observed that RM, which induces programmed cell death in cancer cells, worked synergistically with Dox. Their mouse model, based on the 4T1 cell line mimicking aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, showed a 46.53% reduction in tumor size by day 21 with the RM-Dox combo. Even more impressively, liver metastasis was cut by 86.36%.
The compound was purified using a process developed with collaborators from Chulalongkorn University and Meiji Pharmaceutical University. While results are promising, the scientists emphasized that more studies are needed before human trials can begin.
This comes at a critical time, as breast cancer rates in the Philippines remain among the highest in Asia. According to Dr. Frances Dominique Ho, rising cases are linked to prolonged estrogen exposure and lifestyle factors. Late detection also continues to hinder treatment success.
Health experts urge regular screenings, increased awareness, and investment in local cancer research as key strategies to fight the disease.