Brazilian Wasp’s Venom Kills Cancer Cells

Known to Brazillian natives, a sight of Polybia paulista commonly called Brazillian wasp could be scary as a sting from the aggressive wasp could be painful with its powerful venom but not until a number of research groups discovered a series of remarkable qualities all concentrated in the aggressive wasp’s venom.

Brazilian wasp’s venom kills cancer cells without harming normal cells

"According to a study published in the Biophysical Journal this week, the wasp’s venom contains a toxin, named MP1, that selectively destroys tumor cells without harming normal ones. The BBC called the venom a potentially powerful weapon against cancer.”

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The social wasp Polybia paulista uses its venom protects itself against predators by producing venom. A venom found to be a powerful cancer-fighting ingredient

The venom's toxin—called MP1 (Polybia-MP1) selectively kills cancer cells without harming normal cells. It interacts with lipids that are abnormally distributed on the surface of cancer cells, creating gaping holes that allow molecules crucial for cell function to leak out.

It acts against microbial pathogens by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane. It can inhibit the growth of prostate and bladder cancer cells, as well as multi-drug resistant leukemic cells. However, until now, it was not clear how MP1 selectively destroys cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Future studies will provide us more inderstanding that will pave way to a more potent cure for cancer. We have yet to see a cancer curing drug based on this reasearch.

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