Scientists just found a breast cancer-killing molecule in scorpion venom

Last updated on 6 AUG 2025

Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges of our time, with breast cancer standing among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Yet, amid this persistent crisis, new hope is emerging from an unexpected source: the venom of an Amazonian scorpion. In a groundbreaking discovery, Brazilian scientists have identified a molecule in the venom of Brotheas amazonicus that shows promising activity against breast cancer cells—comparable to one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs.

This discovery is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader and increasingly sophisticated movement in Brazil to harness nature’s biochemical diversity for medical innovation. Across the country, researchers are turning to venomous animals, radioactive isotopes, and immune-based therapies to rethink how we diagnose, treat, and even prevent cancer.

A Venomous Breakthrough — The Anti-Cancer Promise of Scorpion Toxins

In a promising twist of nature, scientists at the University of São Paulo’s Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP) have identified a molecule in the venom of the Amazonian scorpion Brotheas amazonicus that exhibits potent activity against breast cancer cells. This discovery is part of an ongoing effort in Brazil to transform the biochemical arsenal of venomous animals into life-saving therapies.

The molecule, named BamazScplp1, was found to induce cell death in breast cancer cells through a mechanism primarily involving necrosis — a mode of cell death also triggered by certain chemotherapeutic agents. Remarkably, the molecule’s effects were comparable to paclitaxel, a widely used chemotherapy drug. “Through bioprospecting, we were able to identify a molecule in the species of this Amazonian scorpion that acts against breast cancer cells,” said Dr. Eliane Candiani Arantes, professor at FCFRP-USP and lead coordinator of the research.

The discovery was announced during FAPESP Week France, held in June in southern France, and highlights the potential of animal-derived bioactive compounds in oncology. This molecule is not an isolated case; similar peptides with cytotoxic properties have been identified in other scorpion species, but BamazScplp1 is the latest to demonstrate comparable efficacy to a clinically approved drug.

This line of research falls under a broader initiative involving Brazilian institutions, including the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA) and the Amazonas State University (UEA). The team is currently working on producing the molecule via heterologous expression, a method that allows large-scale production using yeast cells (Pichia pastoris) as hosts. This approach eliminates the need to extract venom directly from animals, making it scalable and ethically sustainable.

By isolating and reproducing such peptides, researchers aim to develop a new class of biopharmaceuticals—targeted, biologically derived treatments that may minimize the side effects commonly associated with conventional chemotherapy. While the molecule is still in early-stage research, its potential represents a major stride in harnessing the untapped medicinal properties of nature’s most feared creatures.

Brazil’s Expanding Frontier in Biopharmaceutical Research

The discovery of the breast cancer-fighting molecule in Brotheas amazonicus venom is not an isolated endeavor—it’s part of a broader surge in Brazil’s investment in biopharmaceutical research, particularly centered around venom-based compounds. The country’s scientific community has been systematically exploring the therapeutic potential of molecules derived from venomous animals, a niche field that is beginning to yield tangible medical advances.

At the heart of this innovation is the Center for Translational Science and Development of Biopharmaceuticals (CTS), housed within the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) at São Paulo State University (UNESP). This facility is pioneering the development of biologically active molecules sourced from rattlesnake and scorpion venoms through cutting-edge techniques like recombinant DNA technology and heterologous expression. These methods allow researchers to produce bioactive proteins in host organisms, such as yeast, without relying on direct extraction from animals.

One notable success from CEVAP is the development of a fibrin sealant—a biological adhesive composed of serine protease enzymes from snake venom and cryoprecipitate rich in fibrinogen from animal blood. This sealant mimics the body’s natural coagulation and tissue-repair processes and is currently in phase three clinical trials, the final step before regulatory approval. It has shown promise in areas such as nerve regeneration, bone healing, and treatment of spinal cord injuries.

Building on this progress, researchers have recently cloned and expressed a different rattlesnake enzyme, colinein-1, as well as an endothelial growth factor known as CdtVEGF, which promotes the formation of new blood vessels. The goal is to create an enhanced version of the fibrin sealant with broader applications and greater manufacturing scalability. As Dr. Arantes explained, combining colinein-1 with CdtVEGF could significantly improve the therapeutic potential of the product.

This integrative approach—blending molecular biology, pharmacology, and biotechnology—is positioning Brazil as a leader in venom-based drug discovery. It demonstrates how a coordinated national effort can harness biodiversity for public health innovation. The Brazilian model not only emphasizes scientific rigor but also sustainability by using biotechnological platforms to replicate compounds that would otherwise be impractical or unethical to harvest at scale.

By connecting regional biodiversity with high-tech laboratories and cross-disciplinary expertise, Brazil’s biopharmaceutical initiatives are carving a path toward novel treatments that could transform care for cancer patients and beyond.

A New Generation of Cancer Therapies — From Diagnostics to Theranostics

While venom-derived compounds like BamazScplp1 offer hope for new therapeutic drugs, other groundbreaking cancer research in Brazil is focusing on combining diagnosis and treatment in a single, seamless approach—what experts call theranostics. This emerging field aims to personalize cancer care by identifying the specific molecular characteristics of a tumor and using that information to guide both imaging and therapy.

A team at the Cancer Theranostics Innovation Center (CancerThera) in Campinas, São Paulo, is spearheading efforts to integrate this model into Brazil’s healthcare system. Originally conceptualized in Germany, the approach involves tagging molecules—typically those that bind specifically to tumor cells—with radioisotopes that can be used for both diagnostic imaging and targeted radiotherapy. Depending on the radiation emitted by the isotope (such as gamma rays or positrons), the same compound can serve to locate cancer cells in the body or destroy them with focused radiation.

Professor Celso Darío Ramos of UNICAMP, one of CancerThera’s lead researchers, explains the approach simply: “When we document that an isotope captures too much of a particular molecule, we can replace it with another that emits more intense radiation locally and thus treat tumors.”

This dual-purpose strategy is being tested on a variety of cancers, from multiple myeloma and thyroid cancer to head and neck, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Researchers are even exploring new radiotherapeutic options for thyroid cancers that no longer respond to standard radioactive iodine treatments. If successful, these methods could offer patients tailored treatments with fewer side effects, more precise targeting, and improved outcomes—especially in cases where conventional therapies fail.

Theranostics exemplifies the shift toward precision oncology, where a deep molecular understanding of cancer guides each step from detection to treatment. It’s a field that not only benefits from technological innovation but also from the close integration of basic science, clinical research, and patient care—an approach that aligns with Brazil’s growing ecosystem of collaborative, translational research.

Training the Immune System — The Rise of Cancer Vaccines

Another avenue of innovative cancer treatment emerging in Brazil focuses not on killing tumor cells directly, but on training the body’s immune system to do the job itself. Researchers at the Biomedical Sciences Institute at the University of São Paulo (ICB-USP) are developing an experimental cancer vaccine that harnesses dendritic cells, the immune system’s sentinels, to recognize and attack cancer cells.

The process involves taking monocytes—a type of white blood cell—from the blood of healthy donors and converting them into dendritic cells in the lab. These lab-grown cells are then fused with tumor cells from cancer patients to create a personalized vaccine that presents the patient’s tumor antigens to their immune system in a more recognizable and aggressive form.

While previous attempts at using a patient’s own cells often resulted in immune tolerance rather than activation, this approach sidesteps that issue by using donor-derived dendritic cells, which are more likely to elicit a strong immune response. As lead researcher Dr. José Alexandre Marzagão Barbuto explains, “The immune system interprets this vaccine… as a transplant and reacts violently.”

Initial trials involving patients with melanoma, kidney cancer, and glioblastoma have shown encouraging results. Now, the researchers are preparing for phase three clinical trials, a crucial step in proving the vaccine’s efficacy and safety in larger populations. If successful, this vaccine could provide a new line of defense, particularly for cancers that are difficult to treat with conventional methods.

The concept of training the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells aligns with broader trends in oncology, where immunotherapy is becoming a cornerstone of treatment. While still experimental, this work highlights the potential of combining immunology, cell biology, and personalized medicine to develop long-lasting cancer solutions.

Reimagining Nature as Medicine — A Call for Continued Investment

Taken together, the findings from across Brazil’s scientific institutions point to an exciting, multidisciplinary future for cancer treatment—one where nature’s own defenses inspire innovative therapies. From scorpion venom molecules and snake-derived fibrin sealants to radiolabeled antibodies and personalized cancer vaccines, these advancements reflect a broader truth: meaningful progress in oncology will come not from a single “miracle cure,” but from sustained, cross-sector collaboration grounded in rigorous science.

Yet these efforts also underscore the importance of continued investment—both financial and institutional—in research and development. Discoveries like BamazScplp1 might never reach clinical use without long-term funding for bioprospecting, bioengineering, and clinical testing. Likewise, theranostics and cancer vaccines require not only laboratory breakthroughs but also scalable infrastructure and regulatory support.

There’s also a message here about the value of biodiversity. Brazil’s unique ecosystems harbor thousands of species whose biological compounds remain largely unexplored. In protecting this biodiversity, the country protects not only its environment but potentially its future medical breakthroughs.

For patients, this wave of research holds the promise of more targeted, effective, and humane treatments—therapies that minimize suffering while maximizing life expectancy and quality of life. For scientists and policy-makers, it is a clarion call to continue building the bridges between the natural world, cutting-edge science, and clinical care.

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