Comparative study of the antitumor activity of bistramides A, D and K against a non-small cell broncho-pulmonary carcinoma.

Bistramides A, D and K are substances extracted from the marine ascidian Lissoclinum bistratum Sluiter that are capable of inducing in vitro terminal differentiation (G1DT) of cells from a non-small cell broncho-pulmonary carcinoma (NSCLCN6), but present different in vitro toxicities. This study shows that only the least toxic bistramides D and K possess an antitumor activity. These two substances could be administered as a continuous treatment which would induce terminal differentiation of stem cells at their entry into the cell cycle, thereby causing their destruction.