Post by dute on Oct 23, 2011 20:53:40 GMT -5
I fucking hate spiders with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, but this might make me hate them a little less:
www.news.com.au/technology/spider-venom-breast-cancer-hope/story-e6frfrnr-1226174748813
VENOM from funnel-web spiders and tarantulas could be used to kill breast cancer cells.
An Australian trial will test the arachnid's ability to combat cancerous cells.
The research comes as Australians mark Pink Ribbon Day, which raises money for breast cancer prevention programs, support services and research.
University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience hopes the complex mix of molecules in the venom could offer a natural solution to breast cancer treatment.
Dr David Wilson has stockpiled venom from the fangs of up to 10 Fraser Island funnel-webs for the two-year trial.
The team will isolate up to 300 molecules in the venom and expose them to cancer cells to see how they react.
Dr Wilson said spider venom contained molecules that have evolved to perform specific functions over millions of years. "They are designed to target very specific sites and we are hoping that some of these molecules target cancer cells."
Dr Norelle Daly said the research, funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, was in its early stages. Venom molecules are used in chronic pain prevention, and scorpion venom has also been shown to bind to cancer cells in mice.
Scientists make the cells glow, helping surgeons tell the difference between brain tumour cells and normal cells. "We are hoping spider toxins will do the same thing for breast cancer, or do even more and kill the breast cancer cells," Dr Daly said.
Other research that may give hope to breast cancer sufferers include a breath test, which measures substances in the breath that may be early warnings.
Developed at the University of Western Australia, it is being tested in the US and Israel.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre researchers are also trying to develop a drug to destroy the most aggressive breast cancer tumours.
Dr Andreas Moeller said the drug, which could be available within five years, would first be used in women with basal-like breast cancer, a sub-type of cancer resistant to existing treatments.
Researchers have discovered how to block the tumour's "call for help". Human trials begin soon.
Melbourne's St Vincent's Institute is working on a way to prevent secondary breast cancer.
Lead researcher Professor Rik Thompson said his team was trying to identify changes that affected the shape and behaviour of the cells that formed secondary breast cancer so they could develop a method to detect the changes and develop new drugs to prevent it.
www.news.com.au/technology/spider-venom-breast-cancer-hope/story-e6frfrnr-1226174748813
VENOM from funnel-web spiders and tarantulas could be used to kill breast cancer cells.
An Australian trial will test the arachnid's ability to combat cancerous cells.
The research comes as Australians mark Pink Ribbon Day, which raises money for breast cancer prevention programs, support services and research.
University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience hopes the complex mix of molecules in the venom could offer a natural solution to breast cancer treatment.
Dr David Wilson has stockpiled venom from the fangs of up to 10 Fraser Island funnel-webs for the two-year trial.
The team will isolate up to 300 molecules in the venom and expose them to cancer cells to see how they react.
Dr Wilson said spider venom contained molecules that have evolved to perform specific functions over millions of years. "They are designed to target very specific sites and we are hoping that some of these molecules target cancer cells."
Dr Norelle Daly said the research, funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, was in its early stages. Venom molecules are used in chronic pain prevention, and scorpion venom has also been shown to bind to cancer cells in mice.
Scientists make the cells glow, helping surgeons tell the difference between brain tumour cells and normal cells. "We are hoping spider toxins will do the same thing for breast cancer, or do even more and kill the breast cancer cells," Dr Daly said.
Other research that may give hope to breast cancer sufferers include a breath test, which measures substances in the breath that may be early warnings.
Developed at the University of Western Australia, it is being tested in the US and Israel.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre researchers are also trying to develop a drug to destroy the most aggressive breast cancer tumours.
Dr Andreas Moeller said the drug, which could be available within five years, would first be used in women with basal-like breast cancer, a sub-type of cancer resistant to existing treatments.
Researchers have discovered how to block the tumour's "call for help". Human trials begin soon.
Melbourne's St Vincent's Institute is working on a way to prevent secondary breast cancer.
Lead researcher Professor Rik Thompson said his team was trying to identify changes that affected the shape and behaviour of the cells that formed secondary breast cancer so they could develop a method to detect the changes and develop new drugs to prevent it.