Potential anticancer compounds of marine endophytes with inhibitory effects against nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat due to its complex anatomical location and asymptomatic nature. A rare form of cancer with an unusual geographic distribution, it is found in Southeast Asia and China. The incidence rates are among the highest in Sarawak, an eastern state of Malaysia. In this study, anticancer compounds were induced from co-cultures of marine endophytic fungi with bacteria, significantly enhancing the variety and activity of anticancer compounds. The approach showed great promise in producing compounds selectively inhibiting NPC which could be develop as an alternative treatment to chemotherapy.