A recent study has thrown light on the use of rattlesnake venom in fighting cancer. According to a team of Brazilian researchers, a substance extracted from rattlesnake venom could increase the chances of survival among patients with skin cancer.
Chromatin, a protein found in the venom of the South American snake, increased the survival rate of rats with skin cancer by up to 70 percent, said the reports of Butantan Institute Thursday.
The protein is useful in delaying the development of tumours and even to completely inhibit their formation, says Butantan, an institute linked to the health department of Sao Paulo state.
The researchers who conducted the study of its kind found that the protein is able to kill cells but its toxic action is exclusively limited to melanoma cells, and it does not harm an organism's other cells.
The substance also remains inside a cancerous tumour for only about 24 hours.
Brazilian researchers say that further tests needed on animals and, ultimately, humans before they can think about the possibility of developing a new drug using rattlesnake venom.
However the researchers are of the opinion to synthesize the protein in laboratory before before experimenting with it on humans, and not to extract it from actual snake venom.
--with IANS inputs
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