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Radioactive scorpion venom sounds like the ultimate poison but it is now being tested as a treatment for malignant brain cancer.
Scientists have discovered that a non-toxic extract from the venom 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 lives in the Middle East and among the powerful cocktail of neurotoxins packed into its venom is a peptide that is non-toxic to humans but binds to tumour cells.
Scientists have discovered that a non-toxic extract from the venom 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 lives in the Middle East and among the powerful cocktail of neurotoxins packed into its venom is a peptide that is non-toxic to humans but binds to tumour cells.
Radioactive Scorpion Venom Could Be Used To Fight Brain Cancer, University of Chicago Study; Dosing Began In TransMolecular, Inc.'s Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of 131I-TM601 | BioSpace
Radioactive Scorpion Venom Could Be Used To Fight Brain Cancer, University of Chicago Study; Dosing Began In TransMolecular, Inc.'s Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of 131I-TM601 - read this article along with other careers information, tips and advice on BioSpace
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