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Scorpion venom could treat brain tumours1 August 2006 A man-made version of scorpion venom could be used to treat life-threatening brain tumours, according to a new study. The "venom" can be used as a carrier to transport radioactive iodine the brain to target the tumour cells left behind after surgery. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in California carried out the study using TM 601, a man-made version of a protein found naturally in the venom of the giant yellow Israeli scorpion. The protein in the venom is particularly useful as it has the rare ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier - a membrane that controls the transport of substances from the bloodstream into the brain. The venom can also bind to gliomas, which are a particularly aggressive form of brain tumours. The 18 patients involved in the study first underwent surgery to remove most of the tumour in their brains. Then, 14-28 days later, they were injected with a low dose of radioactive iodine attached to the venom. Results showed very few side-effects, and after the treatment two of the patients showed no evidence of their tumours and were still alive 33 and 35 months after surgery. Study author Dr Adam Mamelak, writing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, explained that the results indicated that the venom could also slow down the growth of tumour cells. He added: "If studies continue to confirm this, we may be able to use it in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy." A larger study is now underway to look at the effectiveness of using multiple doses of the venom and radioactive iodine. More information
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