In the past ten years, many new structurally unique antitumor compounds have been isolated from marine microorganisms. This article summarizes the research advances in antitumor metabolites from marine microorganisms in recent ten years, according to microorganisms species.

Glycoprotein of Chlamys ( Azumapecten ) farreril ( GCFI) was prepared from the skirt of scallop Chlamys (Azumapecten)farreri by extraction with hot water,isolation and purification with column chromatography "on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 successively. GCFI was hydrolyzes with enzymes to obtain glycoprotein of Chlamys (Azumapecten)farreri IKGCFID-The chemical composition and antitumor activity of GCFI and GCFII were studied. The result showed that GCFI and GCFII were two glycoproteins in which the composition and content of protein and sugar were different. They could obviously inhibit Sarcoma 180 cells proliferation of mice with the inhibition rate of 47. 29% and 46. 97%,respectively. Pharmacological test indicated that antitumor activity of GCFI and GCFII were associated with the structure of sugar in the molecules.

A novel hemiacetal, citrinacetal (1) was isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium citrinum by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Its structure and stereochemistry was established on the basis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. The NMR spectrum showed this compound exists in solution as a mixture of two stereoisomers. The cytotoxic effect of compound 1 was evaluated in A-549, HL-60, HeLa, and K562 cancer cell lines. However, compound 1 only displayed weak cytotoxic activity on HL-60 cell, with IC50 value 77.4 micromol x L(-1).

There were some samples collected from the Antarctic soil and South Ocean water for isolation of microorganisms and screening of their antitumor bioactivity by lethality bioassay using brine shrimp and a flow cytometric bioassay.There were 259 stains were isolated from the samples,11% of the Antarctic microorganisms showed strong antitumor activity.This result showed that the Antarctic microorganisms have a good potential in bioactive metabolites researching.

The anti tumor and immune activity of Algae Compound Preparation were studied in this paper. The results showed that Algae Compound Preparation could inhibit the growth of S 180 tumor planted to mice with the inhibition rate of 37.98%～50.38%. The life of ascites tumor mice were also prolonged with the prolongation rate of 21%～51.33%. At the same time the activity of apleen cells and the phagocytosis activity of macrophage were also enhanced.

Objective To isolate algicolous fungi from algae and obtain antitumor strains.Methods Selective isolation of algicolous fungi from algae was done,and antitumor activity corresponds to their lethiferous effect on brine shrimp and cytotoxicity against K562 cell was determined.Results 221 strains of algicolous fungi were isolated from 28 algae samples collected from intertidal zones of the Yellow Sea.Eight strains showed lethiferous activity and eight showed cytotoxicity.Conclusion The results indicated that algicolous fungi would be one of the important resources to search for new antitumor compounds.

Objective: To investigate the antitumor activity and immune enhancing effect of glycoprotein from Chlamys (Azumapecten) farreri (FGP). Methods: S 180 bearing mice were used as animal model. The effects of FGP on tumor weight and immune function were observed in S 180 bearing mice. Results: The results showed that FGP could markedly decrease tumor weight and promote the phagocytic rate of macrophages, NK activity and increase weight of immune organs. Conclusion: FGP can inhibit the growth of S 180 tumor and enhance cell mediated immune function. The antitumor effect of FGP may be related to its immune enhancing activity.

A new sesquiterpene hydroquinone (1) was isolated from a deep sea sediment derived fungus, Phialocephala sp.. Its structure and stereochemistry were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and optical rotation. This compound was tested for cytotoxicity against P388 (murine leukemia cell) and K562 (human leukemia cell) cell lines, and displayed strong cytotoxic effects with IC50 value of 0.16 and 0.05 micromol x L(-1), separately.

Objective To isolate fungi from sea sediment and sea water samples collected from the neritic environment in Qingdao, screen their antitumor activity and study on their fermentation condition. Methods The antitumor activity was assayed by flow cytometry in mouse tsFT210 cells. Results The medium added penicillin and streptomycin possesses good selectivity. 207 strains of fungi were isolated and among them, 19 strains showed antitumor activity, and one fungus(Z 83200)pocesses strong cell apoptosis inducing activity.