Amazonian Scorpion Venom Yields Promising Breast Cancer Treatment Compound in Early Studies

Source: NFCR

In a potential breakthrough for breast cancer treatment, scientists in Brazil have identified a molecule within the venom of an Amazonian scorpion that demonstrates promising anti-cancer properties. The research, conducted by a team at the University of São Paulo and presented at FAPESP Week France, suggests this natural compound could pave the way for innovative and less invasive cancer therapies. The study indicates the scorpion venom selectively targets and destroys cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

The core of the research focuses on a molecule called BamazScplp1, extracted from the venom of the Brotheas amazonicus scorpion. Early laboratory testing reveals this peptide exhibits the ability to kill breast cancer cells, performing similarly to paclitaxel, a widely used chemotherapy drug.

“Through bioprospecting, we were able to identify a molecule in this species of Amazonian scorpion that acts against breast cancer cells,” stated Professor Eliane Candiani Arantes, who leads the project. The molecule belongs to the serine protease family, enzymes recognized for their capacity to break down proteins and potentially disrupt cancer cell lifecycles.

Tests performed on breast cancer cells demonstrated that BamazScplp1 primarily induces cell death through necrosis, a process involving the uncontrolled breakdown of cells. While necrosis can be harmful in healthy tissues, it can be an effective method of targeting tumors in cancer therapy. The observed response was comparable to that induced by paclitaxel, suggesting that BamazScplp1 could offer similar therapeutic benefits.

The study stated, “The peptide induces cell death mainly through necrosis, an action similar to that of molecules identified in other scorpion species."

Mass Production of Cancer-Fighting Molecule via Yeast

Instead of directly extracting venom from scorpions, the researchers have adopted a bioengineering approach known as heterologous expression. This technique involves inserting the gene responsible for coding the target protein into a host organism, typically yeast or bacteria, which then produces the protein in large quantities.

Professor Arantes explained, “We intend to obtain these molecules through heterologous expression.” The research team intends to utilize Pichia pastoris, a yeast strain frequently used in biotechnology, to mass-produce the peptide for further research and testing. This approach eliminates the need for scorpion venom extraction, making it both ethical and scalable – crucial considerations for future drug development.

The Global Impact of Breast Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second most prevalent cancer worldwide. A 2024 study in Nature Medicine estimated that approximately 1 in 20 women globally will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

In 2022, there were an estimated 2.3 million new breast cancer diagnoses and roughly 670,000 deaths worldwide. The majority of these cases (71%) and fatalities (79%) occurred in individuals over 50 years of age. If current trends persist, global breast cancer diagnoses are projected to increase to 3.2 million annually by 2050, with over 1 million deaths per year.

The Potential of Scorpion Venom in Transforming Breast Cancer Treatment

While these findings are preliminary, they highlight the potential of natural products in pharmaceutical development. Further laboratory studies, animal testing, and eventual human clinical trials will be necessary to determine if BamazScplp1 can be safely and effectively used in humans. If proven successful, this molecule has the potential to usher in a new era of nature-based cancer treatments, offering hope to millions of breast cancer patients worldwide.