NCIt definition : A cyclic depsipeptide isolated from the marine tunicate Aplidium albicans. Plitidepsin
displays a broad spectrum of antitumor activities, inducing apoptosis by triggering
mitochondrial cytochrome c release, initiating the Fas/DC95, JNK pathway and activating
caspase 3 activation. This agent also inhibits elongation factor 1-a, thereby interfering
with protein synthesis, and induces G1 arrest and G2 blockade, thereby inhibiting
tumor cell growth.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is obtained
from a marine organism.;