Of the many bizarre things you may have heard, at the FAPESP Week France, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo presented their study findings stating that scorpion venom could help treat breast cancer. What Is The Study All About?The researcher found that a molecule which is present in scorpion venom could act similarly used in that of the chemotherapy drug, which could then kill cancer cells. The molecule is called BamazScplp1, found in the venom of Brotheas amazonicus scorpion. It showed cancer-fighting properties when tested in lab. "Through bioprospecting, we were able to identify a molecule in the species of this Amazonian scorpion that is similar to that found in the venoms of other scorpions and that acts against breast cancer cells," said Eliane Candiani Arantes, a professor at the university and the project's coordinator.How Was The Study Conducted?The researcher used a process called heterologous expression, which allowed them to produce the required toxin content for the study. In this process, the gene that produces this particular protein was inserted in another organism, most often, this is usually yeast or bacteria and then later produced in large quantities inside the lab. "We also intend to obtain these molecules through heterologous expression," said Ms Arantes."Our idea now is to obtain this serine protease through heterologous expression [in a fragment or complete gene from a host organism that doesn't have it naturally] in Pichia pastoris," she added.Tests on breast cancer cells showed that the peptide produced a response similar to paclitaxel, a widely used chemotherapy drug for treating the disease."The peptide induces cell death mainly through necrosis, an action similar to that of molecules identified in other scorpion species," the study highlighted.Have There Been Similar Findings Before?In a 2017 study, titled Scorpion and spider venoms in cancer treatment: state of the art, challenges, and perspectives, it was revealed that animal venoms do comprise a mix of bioactive molecules with high affinity for multiple targets in cells and tissues. The study used scorpion and spider venoms and purified peptides that exhibit "significant effects on cancer cells". It led to four potential mechanisms: induction of cell cycle arrest, growth inhibition and apoptosis; inhibition of angiogenesis; inhibition of invasion and metastasis; and blocking of specific transmembrane channels.The study noted: "Cancer is a considerable global contributor to disease-related death. Despite some advances being made, therapy remains palliative rather than curative for the majority of cancer indications. Consequently, more effective therapies need to be devised for poorly responding cancer types to optimize clinical cancer management. Scorpion and spider venoms may occupy a role in the development of improved anti-cancer modalities."Another study published in 2013, titled Two peptides, TsAP-1 and TsAP-2, from the venom of the Brazilian yellow scorpion, Tityus serrulatus: Evaluation of their antimicrobial and anticancer activities, noted that scorpion venom contains a mixture of biological chemicals called peptides, some of which are known to trigger cell death by forming pores in biological membranes, as also reported in The Conversation. Cell death can be useful if we are able to target, say, tumour cells to auto-destruct.These toxins can have very potent effects. For instance, one particular small peptide, known as TsAP-1, isolated from the Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus), has both anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties.