Researchers have discovered an Australian burrowing octopus species has a compound in its venom that could provide a non-toxic treatment for skin cancers, according to a study.
The southern sand octopus, also known as octopus Kaurna, had its peptides analysed in a pre-clinical study by researchers at the QIMR Berghofer Institute.
They tested the tumour-fighting properties of a number of synthetically reproduced venom compounds from marine animals.
But researchers specifically looked at the Australian southern sand octopus because of its ability to safely and effectively target BRAF-mutated melanoma cells in pre-clinical models.
“We were very surprised to discover the octopus venom peptide selectively reduced the proliferation of melanoma cells and prevented tumour progression while having little effect on healthy cells,” study lead Dr Maria Ikonomopoulou said….