The invention relates to the use of anti-cancer drug of a natural compound of vegetal origin, known as aloe-emodin (AE). Indeed, said compound has proved to have a specific biological activity of inhibition on the growth of neuroectodermal tumors, without evident toxic effects. The compound, according to the present invention, has also proved to be cell-specific and it does not show any inhibition on the growth of other cell types such as, for instance, fibroblasts. This pharmacological profile, i.e., tumor-targeting and absence of toxicity, makes said compound particularly advantageous in the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors. Pharmaceutical compositions containing said pharmacological agent can therefore be usefully used in the treatment of the foresaid pathologies.
