01/07/2026 04:52 - Salud
Date: June 30, 2026
The study of marine organisms in Antarctica has once again placed the frozen continent at the forefront of global scientific research. A team of specialists from the University of South Florida (USF) identified a bacterial compound associated with Antarctic ascidians — commonly known as "sea squirts" — that showed promising results in the fight against melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
According to the researchers, toxins produced by these small invertebrates as a natural defense mechanism successfully eliminated melanoma cells in mouse studies, without causing damage to healthy human cells.
Bill Baker, a chemistry professor and member of the scientific team, explained that this finding could open a new line of biomedical research: "The compound eliminated the cancer in mice and did not affect their overall health. This indicates it has physiological properties with pharmacological potential."
Ascidians, also called "sea squirts", are sac-shaped marine organisms that live attached to the ocean floor, typically on rocky surfaces and underwater walls.
Scientific interest lies in the fact that these species evolved over millions of years in an extreme and isolated environment, developing sophisticated chemical defense mechanisms against predators and diseases.
Context: Antarctica is one of the most extreme environments on Earth, with temperatures below -40°C and months of darkness. Organisms there have developed unique adaptations that scientists believe hold untapped medical potential.
Melanoma is considered the most aggressive form of skin cancer due to its high capacity to spread to other organs (metastasis).
Although it represents a small portion of skin cancer diagnoses, it accounts for the majority of deaths related to this disease. For this reason, any progress in the search for treatments generates significant hope.
Context: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 132,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed worldwide each year, with rates increasing in countries near the equator and in populations with fair skin.
To advance the study, the team conducted a six-week expedition in the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the most remote regions on the planet. During that time, they collected samples through dives in icy waters and under challenging weather conditions.
Tasks included diving under ice, low visibility, and constantly changing sea states. They also used remotely operated vehicles to explore deeper zones.
Ben Meister, responsible for dive safety, explained: "In Antarctica, you have to deal with ice, changing seas, and limited visibility. Each dive must balance scientific work with team safety."
Context: The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica, extending toward South America. It is a prime location for biological research due to its relatively accessible location and rich marine biodiversity.
Despite the encouraging results, scientists warned that an extensive stage of studies, trials, and validations remains. The main challenges are:
The finding in Antarctica is still in an early stage, but it already marks a new hope in research against one of the most complex cancers to treat. The extremophile nature of Antarctica continues to reveal secrets that could benefit humanity.
Source: La Opinión Austral
Alfredo S. Quiroga
