Polybia paulista

Polybia paulista
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Polybia
Species: Polybia paulista
Binomial name
Polybia paulista

Polybia paulista is a species of eusocial wasp that lives in Brazil. According to a new study, this species of wasp contains a special kind of venom that destroys tumors with little or no casualties to its own body cells.[1]

Anti-cancer venom

P. paulista has anti-cancer venom that destroys cancer cells with low deaths among regular cells. In laboratory tests, the poison prevents the notoriously drug-resistant leukaemia from growing, as well as suppressing bladder and prostate cancers.[1] In fact, The Guardian writes:

New research has now revealed the secret of the venom toxin, known as MP1. Scientists found that it blows gaping holes in the protective membranes surrounding tumour cells by interacting with fatty molecules called lipids. Dr Paul Beales, a researcher from Leeds University, said: “Cancer therapies that attack the lipid composition of the cell membrane would be an entirely new class of anti-cancer drugs. This could be useful in developing new [cancer] combination therapies." [1]

In fact, MP1 creates big gaps in the cancer cells in just a matter of seconds, quickly killing the cancer cell and its genetic code.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Wasp study finds sting in the tail for cancer cells". Biophysical Journal. The Guardian. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
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