Dr. Jim Olson, a brain cancer specialist at Seattle Children's Hosptial developed, The "tumor paint" a technology to fight tumor cell. The "tumor paint" is created by utilizing a protein derived from the paralyzing venom of an Israeli deathstalker scorpion. The re-engineered protein, which binds to cancer cells, is then joined with a fluorescent molecule "flashlight" that has been used safely in human surgeries for decades.
In this technology, "The scorpion toxin finds the cancer cells and drags the flashlight into them and makes them glow brilliantly," Olson said at the convention. "It's really hard to get molecules into the brain due to the blood-brain barrier," Olson told ABCNews.com, describing the membrane around blood vessels in the brain designed to keep out toxins. "Most drugs that are made by the drug companies can't penetrate that barrier. The scorpion has found a way to get these proteins in the brain."
While "tumor paint" was originally developed to treat brain tumors, Olson said they have found that the paint has also been able to highlight breast, colon and skin tumors as well.
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In this technology, "The scorpion toxin finds the cancer cells and drags the flashlight into them and makes them glow brilliantly," Olson said at the convention. "It's really hard to get molecules into the brain due to the blood-brain barrier," Olson told ABCNews.com, describing the membrane around blood vessels in the brain designed to keep out toxins. "Most drugs that are made by the drug companies can't penetrate that barrier. The scorpion has found a way to get these proteins in the brain."
While "tumor paint" was originally developed to treat brain tumors, Olson said they have found that the paint has also been able to highlight breast, colon and skin tumors as well.
Further abcnews.go.com