All-female UP scientists working on marine-derived product to fight breast cancer

An all-female research team from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) has conducted a study on a chemical compound derived from a marine sponge that may one day be used against diseases, including metastatic cancer.

In a statement released by the UP Media and Public Relations Office, the team — composed of UP marine scientist Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion, Dr. Lilibeth Salvador-Reyes, Zildjian Acyatan, Shalice Susana-Guevarra, Myra Ruth Picart, and Eliza Belen — published a study on the "promising activity of a potent compound derived from the Philippine blue sponge (Xestospongia sp.) against metastatic breast cancer in mice."

The team found that the compound, renieramycin M (RM), "especially when combined with the clinically used cancer drug doxorubicin (Dox), significantly shrank tumors in mice while reducing the toxicity commonly associated with chemotherapy drugs."

"The team suspected that RM, which independently triggers programmed cell death in cancer cells, could work synergistically with doxorubicin to enhance its cancer-fighting effects. Previous in vitro studies supported this theory, but further testing was needed in living organisms," according to the statement.

The team purified RM using a method that was developed by collaborators from Chulalongkorn University and Meiji Pharmaceutical University, obtained doxorubicin commercially, and used 4T1 mouse mammary tumor cells which is a well-established model for advanced-stage, triple-negative human breast cancer.

"Following strict animal-care protocols, the researchers injected mice with 4T1 cells and tested different doses of Dox and RM, both individually and in combination. Tumor growth was monitored daily for a month."

Their findings were significant, the statement said.

"A combination of Dox (5 mg/kg) and RM (1 mg/kg) reduced tumor size by 46.53% by day 21, outperforming other treatment groups, including those receiving Dox or RM alone," the study showed.

"Histopathological analysis revealed that the same Dox-RM combination reduced liver metastases by 86.36%, compared to 76.04% for RM alone and 75.33% for a lower-dose Dox-RM mix (5 mg/kg + 0.2 mg/kg)."

According to the study, "RM, especially when combined with Dox, could be a promising treatment option for metastatic breast cancer. By enhancing efficacy while reducing toxicity, RM-Dox combinations may pave the way for more effective and less harmful therapies."

The researchers, however, underscored that their findings are promising but further studies are needed before RM-based treatments can be used in human patients.

The UP UP MPRO cited a World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2022, 2.3 million people, mostly women, were diagnosed with breast cancer and that the Philippines has one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates in Asia

According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer cases across Southeast Asia are expected to surge in the coming decades.

What’s driving the increase in breast cancer cases?

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Dr. Frances Dominique Ho — one of the researchers studying breast cancer trends in the Philippines — identified several factors contributing to the rising cases. Many of these are linked to prolonged estrogen exposure, including:

• Early onset of menstruation
• Use of birth control pills
• Delayed childbearing

“So what all these factors have in common, the first three at least, is that all of them increase the body's exposure to estrogen,” Dr. Ho explained.

“As many of you may know, a very common type of breast cancer is estrogen receptor-positive. That means na yung paglaki po ng tumor depends and is stimulated by increased estrogen in the body.”

Beyond hormonal influences, lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption and smoking also contribute to breast cancer risk.

“As many of you might know, alcohol and smoking actually increase the risk for many cancers overall, and not just breast. They increase chronic inflammation in the body, they decrease your immunity, and there's also a hormonal aspect to it na if you smoke, it also increases your estrogen in the body,” Dr. Ho added.

Aside from risk factors, she said that one of the biggest challenges in the Philippines is the late detection of breast cancer.

Dr. Ho underscored the importance of awareness campaigns, regular screenings, and better access to healthcare.

“We have to pay attention to this growing public health problem,” she stressed.

Health experts emphasize that reducing breast cancer deaths in the Philippines requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Encouraging regular screenings (clinical exams, mammograms, and self-checks)
• Raising awareness about risk factors and symptoms
• Making cancer treatment more accessible and affordable
• Investing in local research on genetic risks among Filipinas

With proactive screening and early intervention, countless lives can be saved. The message is clear: early detection isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity. — with Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News