Cone snail is a venomous type of snail known to be dangerous to humans. But according to researchers in the University of Queensland, the dangerous venom may contain a promising cancer cure.
The researchers said that the venom of the snail has been discovered to be containing molecules which may be used to treat cancer. Professor Paul Alewood, a member of the Institute of Molecular Bioscience in the university, said that the venom's treatment properties may have been overlooked before.
"Cone snail venom is known to contain toxins proven to be valuable drug leads," he said in a Cairnspost report. "This study gives the first-ever snapshot of the toxins that exist in the venom of a single cone snail."
Frank Mari, a researcher and professor from Florida Atlantic University, has also said that the venom, while deadly to humans and the snail's prey, contains many compounds with medicinal properties.
The mollusk has harpoons laced with venoms which it shoots its prey with. The cone snail can immobilise a prey long enough to finish feeding on it. Conus epistopacus is the species studied by the University of Queensland researchers. There are 700 species of cone snail. All are known to be predatory mollusks.
In January, news of the Conus epistopacus venom carrying peptide toxins have made its rounds on medical and research communities in Australia. There has reportedly been thousands of such toxins found in the species.
In a Eurekalert article published early this year, a toxin called alpha conotoxins, is said to be vital in treatments for drug addiction, lung cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
"Our aim is to open new avenues for cancer and addiction research inspired on compounds from marine animals." Mari said about the discovery.
The University of Queensland, Florida Atlantic University, and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have professors and researchers collaborating for the study.
