TScorpion venom is being used to attack tumor cells in the body. It has been found that a non-toxic extract from the venom specifically seeks out and locks onto malignant cells after it is injected into the body.
By irradiating it before it goes in the body it can be used to target the cancer cells with killer radiation but at the same time leave the healthy cells unharmed.
The scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus has a peptide in its venom that is non-toxic to humans but binds to tumour cells
In experiments, the peptide has invaded tumours in breast, skin, brain and lung tissue, but left healthy cells untouched.
Experiments are being done to find if the peptide is able to deliver lethal radioactive doses to tumour cells to by attaching radioactive iodine isotopes to it.
Researchers at the University of Chicago in Illionois have begun injecting the substance into the bloodstream of people with different types of malignant brain cancer.
This will allow the them to test whether the peptide can seek out and kill secondary tumours and primary tumours in the body.
Secondary tumours are the spread tumours in different parts of body while primary is the original tumor from which the cell spread.
The idea is to develop intravenous therapy if possible. If it is successful, then the therapy could be performed in community hospitals, without subjecting patients to the risks of additional brain surgery.
