Scorpion venom helps treat brain tumors
A new method of delivering a dose of radioactive iodine by using a manufactured version of scorpion venom as a carrier targets gliomas without affecting neighboring tissue or body organs.
The first trial in human patients showed the approach to be safe. A larger phase II trial is under way to assess the effectiveness of multiple doses. Dr. Adam N. Mamelak, a neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, led the phase I trial and is first author of an article in the August Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The key ingredient is TM-601, a synthetic version of a peptide found in the venom of the giant yellow Israeli scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus). TM-601 can break through the blood-brain barrier, binding to glioma cells and impeding their growth. If further studies confirm TM-601's properties, it could be used in tandem with standard treatments and allow for reduced doses, the researchers said.
Study: Monitoring of Prostate MRI Exams Could Lead to 75 Percent Reduction of Gadolinium Contrast
March 17th 2025While DCE MRI was deemed helpful in over 67 percent of cases in which it was used, researchers found that monitored prostate MRI exams, which facilitated a 75 percent reduction of DCE MRI sequences, had comparable sensitivity for prostate cancer as non-monitored exams.
