Recent research conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has lead to the creation of "tumor paint," which is a drug developed from the chemical chlorotoxin that is found in scorpion venom, according to The Guardian. The newly developed paint attaches to cancer cells and illuminates them, making it easier for surgeons to locate and successfully operate on them.
"I figured that if there was ever a creature that could get a molecule into the brain, it would be the scorpion because they need to paralyze their prey," said Jim Olsen, who founded the research. "So we grew a human tumor on the back of a mouse; we connected the toxin (from the deathstalker scorpion) to a fluorescent tag and injected it into the mouse, and a couple of hours later the cancer was brightly glowing."
The paint, which is called Tumor Paint BLZ-100, is currently undergoing clinical trials. The drug is being injected into patients through their veins and illuminated using near-infrared light, according to the International Business Times.
"When we started this project, in addition to the challenges that the pharmaceutical companies faced, our decision was to not spin this out into its independent biotech company," said Olsen. "We didn't know if we could trust them with something that we think can really change the world."
