There has been
a considerable number of reports published in the literature
giving possibilities as to the MOA(s) of ecteinascidin
when tumor cells are treated in vitro. A significant problem
with some of the reports is that the concentration(s) used in
the experiments are 10 orders of magnitude greater than those
that demonstrate activity in vivo. These levels are in the low
nM to high pM range and, thus, care should be taken when evaluating published work on the MOA of this compound.
The discovery and development of ecteinascidin have
been comprehensively reviewed