ABSTRACT
Cyanobacteria anticancer metabolites are observed as a better alternative for cancer therapies. They have various applications in pharmacological field and their efficiency as a potent therapeutic compound in the past two decades have been studied. Around 50% of the blue-green algal species are grown commercially to extract the bioactive agents that are effective in causing cytotoxicity to a wide variety of cancerous cells through apoptosis or by inactivation of the cell signaling enzymes. They contain huge amount of several types of vitamins, proteins, minerals and dietary fibers but polysaccharides extracted from them have a major role as an anti-cancerous agent commercially. These algae-based pharmaceuticals have a number of advantages like better drug efficacy because of enhanced solubility for drug delivery, increment in half-life and better accumulation of drug in target cancerous cells. But there are challenges that must be taken into account when developing plans for the production and commercialization of algaebased pharmaceuticals for cancer treatment. This chapter discusses about the bioactive compounds obtained by cyanobacteria having anti-cancerous properties and their present status in commercialized platform, the challenges 312that have arisen and the strategies that can be used for overcoming them and the promise that it holds for the future.
