Fusicoccin-A selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells after interferon-alpha priming.

Active small molecules have a high potential for the development into new anti-cancer drugs. Here we analysed the effect of the natural occurring fusicoccanes, Fusicoccin-A (FC), Ophiobolin-A (OPH-A) and Ophiobolin-I (OPH-I) on various tumor cell lines. Both FC and OPH-A inhibit tumor cell growth efficiently, in contrast to OPH-I.