Spongistatins: Biological activity and synthetic studies

Following the isolation from marine sponges, in 1993, of a family of related highly oxygenated macrolactones named spongistatins, altohyrtins and cinachyrolides, impressive synthetic efforts have been devoted to the synthesis of these macrolides. Their highly potent activity as cancer cells growth inhibitors combined with a fascinating and complex architecture has prompted synthetic organic chemists to develop efficient routes to these molecules. From the first total syntheses by the groups of Evans and Kishi in 1997 and 1998 which delivered milligram quantities of spongistatins/altohyrtins, further intensive studies have led to new pathways with practical solution to provide gram scale amounts of key intermediates. The present review focuses on biological properties and synthetic issues related to these marine macrolides.