Anti-cancer compound found off SA coast
A powerful anti-cancer compound discovered off South Africa’s southern coast is making waves in the scientific world.
The compound, Cephalostatin-1, was extracted from a rare deep-sea marine worm.
It’s showing promise in fighting cancer, including leukaemia, by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Environment Minister Dion George says the discovery highlights the urgent need to protect South Africa’s oceans as a source of health and economic opportunity.
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He says the compound was first discovered in the 1990s, and decades later, it's sparking fresh interest in South Africa’s biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.
The US National Cancer Institute has also hailed the compound as one of the most potent anti-cancer agents ever tested for its ability to selectively destroy cancer cells.
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