A vial of Tumor Paint. (Credit: Blaze Bioscience) Venom from one the world’s most dangerous species, the Israeli deathstalker scorpion, could someday save cancer patients’ lives. A cancer-detecting molecule found in the venom, when paired with a glowing dye, is providing scientists a new way to see tumors during surgery. The experimental product, called Tumor Paint, could someday help doctors locate and excise deadly tumors with precision. Now, the company has begun testing the paint in a small group of human patients for the first time.
Brain tumors are among the most problematic for doctors to remove. A brain tumor can often be detected with an MRI but surgery becomes much more complicated. It’s incredibly difficult for doctors to tell the difference between healthy brain tissue and cancerous tissue; and they rely on their eyes, fingers and thumbs to search for their target. The stakes are high: If a tiny ...
