{Radioactive!} 'Scorpion venom' attacks tumours (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Researchers have developed a "man-made" scorpion venom to be used in the treatment of brain tumours.

The venom is used as a carrier to deliver radioactive iodine into tumour cells left behind after surgery has removed the bulk of the tumour.

So far the technique has been tested in 18 patients and further trials are under way, a report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology says.

Initial findings suggest the treatment is well-tolerated and may be effective.

Gliomas can be a particularly aggressive form of brain tumours, with only 8% of patients surviving two years and 3% surviving five years from the time of diagnosis.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5214784.stm

[Oreo]

1. Last time somebody got injected with Radioactive Scorpion Venom...

This happened

[htuttle]

4. LOL! GMTA

I can't hear the phrase 'radioactive venom' without picturing somebody in tights and a cape.

[qazplm]

5. That's why they have

radioactive spider venom on stand-by...

just in case!

[htuttle]

2. Radioactive Scorpion Venom gives you superpowers, too!

At least that's what I thought I read in a comic book one day...

:shrug:

[ananda]

3. Oh..

.. When I first saw the headline yesterday, I thought the scorpion venom was an anti-carcinogen. Instead it's just the carrier for radioactive iodine... not that that's not good, but I was hoping nature had a cure.

Sue

[MuseRider]

6. This is great news

if it works.

We have a very good friend who has had surgery to remove a large glioma and he is doing fine 1 1/2 years out but we are not holding our breaths. We lost another friend to that 2 years ago. This would be great news if it works.

[catmother]

7. well we have lots of scorpions here.