ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Biology

A component from scorpion and honeybee venom stops cancer growth

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
August 18, 2014
in Biology, Health, Nanotechnology
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Swiss researchers develop virus that makes cancer tumors destroy themselves
Gene mutation doesn’t make women diagnosed with breast cancer more likely to die
350-million-year-old former inhabitant of Gondwana found
‘Extraordinary’ cancer breakthrough: 94% of terminally ill patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia went into remission
Scorpion toxins may soon be useful as anticancer drugs. Credit: Courtesy of Dipanjan Pan

The difference between a poison and a cure is the dosage – and this could be very well said about this approach. Bio-engineers report that peptides in some venoms bind to cancer cells and block tumor growth and spread and could be effectively used to fight cancer – the only problem is they might also harm healthy cells.

Bioengineer Dipanjan Pan and coworkers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, are now using polymeric nanoparticles to deliver venom toxin directly to cancer cells. The problem is limiting the effect it has to the cancer cells, and avoiding any damage to healthy cells. The researchers inserted a derivative of TsAP-1, a toxin peptide from scorpion venom, into specific spherical nanoparticles, constructing what they call NanoVenim. When they tested it on cancerous tissue in the lab, NanoVenim was 10 times more effective at killing the cancerous cells and spreading their growth than the toxin alone.

They researched a similar procedure with a nanoparticle-encapsulated version of melittin (a toxin from honeybee venom), and the results were even more promising. The toxin had potency against cancer cells, but on the upside, it didn’t do any damage at all to healthy cells.

“We have known for some time that venom toxins have anticancer potential, if only we could deliver them safely and selectively to tumors,” said David Oupicky, codirector of the Center for Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

However, the trick here is nanotechnology; even a simple nanotechnological delivery method can work wonders (such as increasing the efficiency 10 times). Pan’s idea with scorpion venom injected through nanotechnology  “is new, and the method of incorporation into nanoparticles is fairly new as well,” he added. But it’s perhaps the honeybee venom which shows the most promise:

 “[That it] works against cancer cells but appears not to damage erythrocytes is an important step toward practical application. It will be very interesting to see how the particles behave in vivo.”

Now, having successfully tested the idea on lab tissue, the next step is to conduct animal tests. Pan’s team founded a start-up, VitruVian Biotech which will conduct testings on rats and pigs. However, with so promising results, he believes that they could start human clinical trials in three to five years.

Tags: cancerhoneybeenanoparticlescorpionvenom

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

A unique eye accessory
Health

Miracle surgery: Doctors remove a hard-to-reach spinal tumor through the eye of a patient

byRupendra Brahambhatt
1 week ago
Health

This Futuristic Laser Blood Test May Be the Key to Beating Cancer Early

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Health

CT Scans Save Lives But Researchers Now Say They Could Also Be Behind 100,000 Future Cancer Cases

byTibi Puiu
1 month ago
Health

Scientists uncover how aspirin may help stop cancer from spreading

byAlexandra Gerea
2 months ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.