KEY POINTS:
A substance derived from scorpion venom could be the key to more effective treatment for a wide range of cancers, researchers say.
Turned into a "paint" which can distinguish even a small number of cancerous cells from healthy tissue, the venom would vastly improve surgeons' accuracy when removing tumours.
Scientists found that chlorotoxin, a chemical found in scorpion stings, would attach itself to cancer cells. Joined to a fluorescent marker, it becomes a molecular beacon which illuminates whole tumours or even clusters of only a few hundred cancerous cells.
The US research team said it could be used as a non-invasive screening tool for the early detection of skin, cervical, oesophageal, colon and lung cancers, and might help identify positive lymph nodes in patients with breast, prostate and testicular cancers.
- INDEPENDENT
