Researchers from the University of São Paulo have discovered a molecule in the venom of the Amazonian scorpion Brotheas amazonicus that could offer a new approach to treating breast cancer.
This disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide.
The research team identified a specific molecule in the scorpion’s venom that attacks breast cancer cells. This molecule was shown in lab tests to be as effective as paclitaxel, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. The molecule primarily triggers necrosis, a form of cell death also associated with toxins from other scorpion species.
The discovery is part of a broader project supported by FAPESP and linked to the Center for Translational Science and Development of Biopharmaceuticals (CTS) and the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP).
Past work by this group includes the development of a fibrin sealant derived from snake venom, now in phase three clinical trials.
Researchers have cloned and expressed several venom-derived proteins using yeast (Pichia pastoris). These include a rattlesnake-derived protease and an endothelial growth factor to enhance fibrin sealants. The team is also working to express the breast cancer-targeting molecule from Brotheas amazonicus in the same way.
Other innovative cancer treatments were also highlighted at FAPESP Week France. These include:
Theranostics from CancerThera (UNICAMP), using radioisotopes to both detect and treat tumors.
A dendritic cell-based personalized cancer vaccine from ICB-USP, fusing healthy donor cells with patient tumors.
An AI-powered MRI model from IUCT-Oncopole in France, which predicts survival rates and genetic mutations in glioblastoma patients with 80–90% accuracy.
The findings from Brazil and France point to a promising future for cancer treatment, blending bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and the natural world to advance therapies that are more effective and more personal.
While the scorpion venom molecule is still in early testing, it adds to a growing arsenal of biopharmaceutical tools with transformative potential.
If you care about breast cancer, please read studies about how eating patterns help ward off breast cancer, and soy and plant compounds may prevent breast cancer recurrence.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how your grocery list can help guard against cancer, and a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
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