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Thursday 03 Sep 2015 - 13:14 Makkah mean time-19-11-1436
(Image from Sao Paulo University)
Sao Paulo, Brazil (IINA) - The venom of the Brazilian wasp Polybia Paulista contains a powerful “smart” venom that selectively targets and destroys cancerous cells without harming healthy cells, according to media reports citing a study.
A Biophysical Journal study published on Tuesday reveals exactly how Polybia Paulista’s venom selectively kills cancer cells without harming normal cells. MP1 interacts with lipids that are abnormally distributed on the surface of cancer cells, creating gaping holes that allow molecules crucial for cell function to leak out.
In laboratory tests, the venom has suppressed the growth of prostate and bladder cancer cells, as well as leukaemia cells resistant to a range of drugs. By discovering the method by which it causes cancer cells to die, researchers hope that venom MP1 will lead to new ways of fighting the disease.
Researchers said that more work will have to be done to better understand how this process works, and will then need to be proven safe to non-cancerous cells when used in medicinal ways.
AG/IINA
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