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Published on: July 29, 2011
Snake venom bioprospecting as an approach to finding potential anti-glioblastoma molecules
Javier Orozco-Mera1,2, Alejandro Montoya-Gómez1, Daiana Silva Lopes3
1Grupo de Nutrición, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common type of malignant tumor of the central nervous system, responsible for significant morbidity and with a 5-year overall relative survival of only 6.8%. Without advances in treatment in the last twenty years, the standard of care continues to be maximum safe resection, Temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy. Many new trials are ongoing, and despite showing increased progression-free survival, these trials did not improve overall survival. They did not consider the adverse effects of these therapies. Therefore, an increasing number of bioprospecting studies have used snake venom molecules to search for new strategies to attack GB selectively without producing side effects. The present review aims to describe GB characteristics and current and new approaches for treatment considering their side effects. Besides, we focused on the antitumoral activity of snake venom proteins from the Viperidae family against GB, exploring the potential for drug design based on in vitro and in vivo studies. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. In January 2024, a systematic search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to December 2023. Search terms were selected based on the population/exposure/outcome (PEO) framework and combined using Boolean operators ("AND", "OR"). The search strategy used these terms: glioblastoma, glioma, high-grade glioma, WHO IV glioma, brain cancer, snake venom, Viperidae, and bioprospection. We identified 10 in vivo and in vitro studies with whole and isolated proteins from Viperidae venom that could have antitumor activity against glioblastoma. Studies in bioprospecting exploring the advantage of snake venom proteins against GB deserve to be investigated due to their high specificity, small size, inherent bioactivity, and few side effects to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the tumor microenvironment.
Insights
Snake venom proteins show promise for treating glioblastoma (GB), a deadly brain cancer. Research suggests these natural compounds may offer a targeted approach with fewer side effects than current therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pharmacology
- Bioprospecting
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive brain cancer with poor prognosis and limited treatment advancements.
- Current standard treatments (surgery, Temozolomide, radiotherapy) offer marginal survival benefits and significant adverse effects.
- Bioprospecting snake venom offers a novel avenue for developing targeted glioblastoma therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review glioblastoma characteristics and current/emerging treatment strategies, emphasizing side effects.
- To explore the antitumor potential of Viperidae snake venom proteins against glioblastoma.
- To assess the feasibility of drug design based on snake venom components for glioblastoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases (Jan 2000 - Dec 2023).
- Utilized PEO framework with keywords: glioblastoma, snake venom, Viperidae, and bioprospection.
Main Results:
- Identified 10 in vitro and in vivo studies investigating Viperidae venom components against glioblastoma.
- Viperidae venom proteins demonstrate potential antitumor activity against glioblastoma.
- Snake venom components possess high specificity, small size, and bioactivity, potentially crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Conclusions:
- Snake venom proteins represent a promising source for novel glioblastoma therapeutics.
- Further investigation into bioprospecting snake venom is warranted due to its potential for targeted therapy with reduced side effects.
- The unique properties of snake venom components suggest significant potential for drug development against glioblastoma.
