Spider's venom to kill cancer cells

  • Funnel web spider produces venom that kills cancer cells
Funnel web spider produces venom that kills cancer cells
 

It's not often that a spider bite is good news, but there's always a first time. In a surprising new study, researcher Maria Ikonomopoulou has discovered that venom from the funnel-web spider can kill certain types of melanoma cells. The peptide was also shown to KO cancer cells in the facial tumours afflicting the Tasmanian Devil population. Good news for sunbathers and Tassie devils alike!