Cancer Therapy Spit of ticks against cancer

Helps tick saliva against cancer?

18/11/2014

Scientists in Brazil have discovered in the saliva of ticks a molecule that kills malignant cells. According to the researchers, the spit of spiders could be extremely valuable in the fight against cancer. They hope that tests on humans will soon be approved.

Extremely valuable spit
Brazilian researchers at the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo have discovered in the saliva of ticks a molecule that kills malignant cells. According to scientists around project coordinator Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi, the spit of spiders could be extremely valuable in the fight against cancer. The research team made the discovery more by accident. Actually, the anticoagulant effect of tick saliva should be tested. After experimenting with cancer cells, scientists quickly discovered that a particular molecule also kills malignant cells.

Promising test on animals
Years ago, initial tests on rats and mice were promising. So had „3sat.de“ In 2010, the molecular biologist Chudzinski-Tavassi quotes as follows: „The protein can theoretically, unlike previously existing treatment options, perform a targeted cancer treatment.“ The research team found that a two-week treatment of cancerous rats stopped the growth of a small tumor and even reduced the size of the ulcer. It was said that a tumor in rats even completely disappeared during a six-week therapy.

Various cancers successfully treated
In a recent video of the news agency Reuters, the work of researchers is now shown. Mrs. Chudzinski-Tavassi explains: „Chemotherapy usually attacks the tumor cells more than normal cells. But normal cells are also damaged. And here we have seen after 42 days of treatment that normal cells are not attacked. The impact is much lower.“ Animals with skin, kidney and pancreatic cancer as well as metastases in the lungs have already been treated successfully with the saliva of the ticks.

Hope for experiments on humans
The researchers now hope that the National Health Authority of Brazil will soon allow experiments on humans. In recent years, the necessary funds for long-term tests and large investments have been missing. If one day the saliva of the tick type Amblyomma cayennense may possibly be used for the production of medicines, the reputation of the annoying bloodsuckers could change as well. So far, the arachnids are usually seen only as a carrier of the diseases Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). (Ad)