Therapeutic potential of snake venom in cancer therapy: current

perspectives

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

By: Vivek Kumar Vyas, Keyur Brahmbhatt, Hardik Bhatt, Utsav Parmar

               There have been many documented studies suggesting the anti-cancer properties of snake venom.  Specifically, some proteins and/or peptides and enzymes from snake venom have been discovered to affect the proliferation of cancerous cells by binding to their membranes.  Snake venoms contain an assortment of these proteins, peptides, enzymes, as well as organic and inorganic compound.  The evidence behind the therapeutic potential of snake venom in cancer therapy are the findings of the studies mentioned in this article.  Many studies found complete remission of tumor cells after they had been treated with molecules made from the snake venom.  The various ways in which snake venom inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell death are through the induction of apoptosis of cancerous cells, increasing the calcium influx, inducing cytochrome C release, and by decreasing or increasing the expression of proteins that control the cell cycle.

        This article adds to our understanding of snakes by better understanding the components of snake venom and their medical implications.  This article is specifically important due to its significant implications.  Cancer is a very deadly disease which impacts many people's lives.  It is caused by uncontrolled cell growth.  If snake venom is the key to slowing the disease, then it could be very beneficial.

Link:  http://www.sciencedirect.com.nuncio.cofc.edu/science/article/pii/S2221169113600428?np=y