‘Tumor Paint” Uses Scorpion Venom to Treat Cancer


Studies from the early 21st century show that by using scorpion venom to highlight cancerous tissues in the brain, doctors can detect and remove cancerous tissues more accurately.

“We have identified a highly selective group of peptides [with scorpion venom], which indicates that [venom particles] could specifically bind to cancer cells and cause their death,” said Laura Leticia Valdez Velazquez, head of research for the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Colima.

Velazquez is the director of the scorpion venom cancer treatment research project. She indicated that when toxins from scorpion venom invade channels in sick cells, they produce cellular damage until sick cells are eventually killed off.

A game-changing product used by cancer researchers known as Tumor Paint capitalizes on this idea and uses a protein found in scorpion venom to highlight cancerous tissues in the brain. This makes the cancerous tissues easier to see and therefore easier to remove. Tumor Paint also allows surgeons to remove cancerous tissues more accurately without removing any healthy brain tissues.

The venom used in Tumor Paint comes from the Centruroides tecomanus scorpion. This species is one of the most poisonous scorpions in the world. The Tumor Paint research team took advantage of the large population of the species found in Colima, Mexico.

Although Tumor Paint can help many people with brain cancer, it is—perhaps surprisingly—not a big seller. And, because of this, it also does not get much funding. Despite very minimal funding, however, proponents of Tumor Paint raised enough money to begin testing the product on humans in 2010.

Tumor Paint is a potentially important and innovative product. This tool saves lives and researchers hope it will continue to gain funding in the coming years. Maybe one day, Tumor Paint will be instrumental in treating a host of brain cancers.

[Source: Simpson Street Free Press Archives ]

It is very cool to read about innovative new medical procedures. I never would have thought scorpions would be so important -- they usually look scary. – Tonya Rasmussen , Madison (2017-02-25 07:13)
People are creating cures for diseases in ways no one would've imagined before. I guess that's progress! Nice work Abigail. – Eleazar , Madison (2017-02-28 18:56)
I think it's just impressive how natural chemical components from plants and animals- like scorpions- can be used to create new medical treatments- it's impressive. You did a great job writing this article Abigail- keep it up! – Jacqueline Zuniga Paiz , West High School (2017-02-28 21:54)
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