Fucoidan as a Supportive Agent in Liver Cancer Care | Hi-Q Marine Biotech International Ltd.

Development as a Supportive Agent in Liver Cancer Management

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted primarily from brown seaweed species such as Saccharina japonica, has garnered increasing attention for its diverse biological activities, particularly in cancer research. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, fucoidan exhibits a range of promising properties including antioxidant activity, immune modulation, and inhibition of tumor proliferation—all with relatively low toxicity. While not intended to replace standard therapies, its role as an adjunctive or supportive agent shows considerable future potential.

Combination with Existing Anticancer Drugs

Fucoidan + Sorafenib (EGFR‑Targeted Therapy
In a 2022 study by Luo et al., fucoidan restored sorafenib sensitivity in sorafenib-resistant HepG2-SR liver cancer cells.
Mechanism: Fucoidan interfered with EGFR localization, preventing its nuclear translocation, which in turn promoted apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth in xenografted mice.
Citation: Luo H, et al. Mar Drugs. 2022;21(5):307. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3602954

Fucoidan + Anti-Angiogenic Agents (e.g., Sorafenib, Bevacizumab)
A 2023 Frontiers in Pharmacology study demonstrated fucoidan’s synergistic cytotoxic effects when combined with sorafenib or bevacizumab in HUH-7 liver cancer cells.
Key Findings:
- Reduced cell viability and motility,
- Downregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and KRAS/BRAF/MAPK pathways.
Citation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36874031

Fucoidan + Chemotherapy Agents (General)
A review published in Cancer Cell International in 2020 summarized multiple studies where fucoidan enhanced:
- Chemotherapy-induced apoptosis,
- Innate immune responses (e.g., NK cell activity),
- Tumor growth inhibition,
- Reduction in drug toxicity.
Citation: Fitton JH, et al. Cancer Cell Int. 2020;20:245. https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-020-01233-8

Clinical Application: Oligo-Fucoidan Trial in HCC
A clinical study (NCT04066660) was initiated to evaluate Oligo Fucoidan in combination with standard therapies in advanced HCC patients.
Although terminated prematurely, the trial reflects increasing interest in fucoidan’s potential clinical use.
Citation: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04066660
In-depth Exploration of Structure-Activity Relationships
The bioactivity of fucoidan is closely related to its chemical structure, such as molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, degree of sulfation, and position of sulfate groups.
Although preliminary structural analyses exist, fucoidan’s structure is relatively complex. Systematically studying the relationship between its microstructure and biological efficacy is essential for developing fucoidan products with specific bioactivities.
Optimization of Extraction and Purification Methods
The bioactivity of fucoidan is also influenced by its source, geographical origin, and extraction and purification methods. Enzyme-assisted extraction technology has been shown to efficiently extract natural fucoidan with complete structure, high yield, and high bioactivity from brown seaweed. Future research should continue to optimize these technologies to ensure the best possible fucoidan is obtained.

In summary, with its unique chemical structure and multifaceted mechanisms of action, fucoidan brings new hope to liver cancer treatment. Future research will focus on further elucidating its precise antitumor mechanisms and exploring its potential as either a standalone or adjunct therapy in clinical applications, ultimately aiming to provide liver cancer patients with more effective and safer treatment options

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Investigating Fucoidan's Role in Adjunct Liver Cancer Therapy

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