Antitumor properties of nonstarch polysaccharides: Fucoidans and chitosans

This review deals with the pharmacology of nonstarch polysaccharides, namely fucoidans and chitosans, isolated from marine organisms. The work summarizes information from the international literature on the antitumor activities of native polysaccharides and their derivatives. The structures and physicochemical properties of these polysaccharides are described and the molecular mechanisms of their antitumor and antimetastatic effects are discussed.