Snake Venoms in Cancer Therapy: Past, Present and Future

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Cancer remains a major global health challenge, driving the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies.
• Snake venoms are intricate biological cocktails containing diverse bioactive molecules with potential medicinal applications.
• Historically, snake venom components have inspired drug development, exemplified by captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical, current, and future research on snake venoms for cancer target therapy.
• To explore the potential of snake venom components as lead compounds for novel anti-cancer drug discovery.
• To highlight the significance of structural and functional investigations of snake venoms in developing new cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on snake venoms and their application in cancer therapy.
• Analysis of research on the isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of snake venom components.
• Examination of the documented activities of snake venom molecules relevant to cancer treatment.

Main Results:

• Snake venoms have been investigated for cancer treatment since the 1930s.
• Numerous studies have identified and characterized bioactive components within snake venoms.
• The structural and functional understanding of venom components is crucial for drug development.

Conclusions:

• Snake venoms represent a valuable, largely untapped resource for the discovery of novel anti-cancer agents.
• Continued comprehensive research into snake venom composition and activity is essential for advancing targeted cancer therapy.
• Translating venom research into clinical applications holds significant promise for future cancer treatment paradigms.