Cancer therapeutics inspired by defense mechanisms in the animal kingdom

Abstract

Many animals have evolved toxins to defend themselves from predators and hunt prey. These toxins have been honed over millions of years by the unique selective pressures on each organism leading to a vast array of potent bioactive compounds, many of which have therapeutic potential. Animal extracts have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and in the past 50 years, hundreds of animal‐derived compounds have been investigated for anticancer activity with a notable number showing significant potential. This review covers some of the most promising animal‐derived cancer therapeutic agents currently in use or under investigation. Potential therapeutic agents derived from insects, arachnids, amphibians, and marine organism are included. Four compounds are highlighted in this review: bee venom from honeybees (Apis mellifera), chlorotoxin from the Israeli deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus), Huachansu from Chinese Bufo toads (Bufo bufo gargarizans and B. melanotictus), and trabectedin from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinate. For each compound, the history of their discovery, their mechanism of action, and their clinical development are discussed.

A Preliminary Investigation on the Possibility of Developing a Cancer Vaccine Using Snake Venom Components

“…An example of an insect product is bee venom. Bee venom is gaining attention for its anticancer activities and is composed of a mixture of peptides such as melittin, adolapin, and apamin; enzymes such as phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase; and non-peptides such as norepinephrine and dopamine [19]. These components allow bee venom to exert antioxidant, antiapoptosis, and anti-inflammatory properties, allowing bee venom to be used as a treatment for diseases such as neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis [20].…”

“…However, bee venom has not been approved to treat cancer because melittin is degraded in the body before exerting its anticancer effects. Furthermore, injecting bee venom can cause haemolysis, which is why more investigation is needed to reach clinical trials [19].…”

Biomimetics provides lessons from nature for contemporary ways to improve human health

“…The possibility of using venom from honey bees, Israeli scorpions and a marine mantle as future treatment for cancer should also be considered (124). About 1/3 of the drugs we use today have originated in nature; the development of future drugs is dependent on humankind preserving the diversity of nature.…”

Anti-Mitoticpotential Identification of Nyale (Eunice sp.) in The Tourism Area of Kuta Beach, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara

“…Several marine biotas, including sponges, molluscs, cyanobacteria, and marine worms, have been investigated for anticancer content [2]. Biomolecules produced by marine biota organisms as a defense mechanism against predators or other competitors by inhibiting their mitotic cell division [3]. They cannot develop known to have high potential in the health sector, one of which is anti-cancer [4].…”