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Insect venom against cancerous tumors
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Tumor processes in the brain are always very dangerous, but there is one type of tumor that is more dangerous than others - we are talking about glioma. Glioma practically does not respond to standard chemotherapy, it can "hide" from scanning devices, capturing more and more new tissues. Fortunately, now there is hope that it will be easier to diagnose and treat such cancer: specialists have come up with a new way to visualize a malignant lesion, in which pathologically altered structures will literally "glow". The new technology is based on the action of a specific amino acid present in the poisonous secretion of a scorpion.
The scientists' goal was to make the oncological process more visible for diagnostics, as well as to be able to outline the boundaries of the lesion for its subsequent complete removal. The work was carried out by employees representing the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In the project, they used a compound called tozuleristide. This substance is a synthetic analogue of a peptide extracted from the poisonous secretion of a scorpion. This peptide easily binds to malignant brain structures. The scientists added a fluorescent dye component to the substance, which made it perfectly visible in the infrared spectrum. Thus, on the monitor, the tumor lesion began to stand out well relative to healthy brain tissue.
“Our fluorescent method will allow us to see the malignant tumor much more clearly, since it will light up like a Christmas tree,” explains one of the project’s authors, Adam Mamelak.
The substance for detecting glioma was tested on 17 cancer patients: there is evidence of its non-toxicity and complete safety. At the same time, the latest miniature camera was tested, helping operating doctors switch between infrared and standard images online. Previously, several fairly large devices were used for this purpose.
The new imaging device has successfully passed all clinical tests. Today, experts are studying the possibility of its use in pediatric practice - for the diagnosis of tumor processes in pediatric patients. Most likely, the new imaging method will be widely introduced into practice after it is approved by the FDA.
"The overall goal of our work is to improve the quality of surgical treatment that our doctors provide to their patients," says the head of the neurosurgery department, Kate Black. Scientists admit that the use of the new method will be studied more widely - including testing it in relation to the diagnosis of other types of tumor processes. Perhaps the use of the substance will be refined and improved.
The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Neurosurgery.