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A potentially deadly fungus known as the “Pharaoh’s Cursed Fungi” may be the lead to Fighting cancerrecent studies have shown.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania modified the molecules from fungi, formally known as Aspergillus, to create a new compound and enhance its cancer-killing properties.
“The fungus gave us penicillin,” said Dr. Xue (Sherry) Gao, associate professor and research director at Upenn, in a press release. “These results show that many More medicines Things that come from natural products are still to be discovered. ”
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These findings are published in the journal Natural Chemistry Biology.
Aspergillus was found in rotten leaves and compost as well as in trees, plants and some crops, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Samples of Aspergillus cultured in the GAO laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. (Beautiful Deer/Upenn)
Although fungi will not harm most healthy people, they can cause Breathing problems For those who weaken the immune system or take certain medications.
Some of the more serious complications of fungi may include bleeding in the lungs and life-threatening infections in the brain, heart and kidneys, the Mayo Clinic says.
History of “curses”
back Archaeologists opened According to the Upenn press release, King Tut suddenly died in his grave in the 1920s, and rumors were rumored to “curse” those who dared to interfere with the Pharaoh’s rest.
After archaeologists opened the tomb of King Tout in the 1920s, members of the excavation team died suddenly, sparking rumors about the “curse” of the people who disturbed the Pharaoh’s rest. (Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Decades later, doctors assumed that fungal spores that had been dormant for thousands of years could infect the team.
The university said that in the 1970s, this happened again.
A dozen scientists entered another grave, this time in Poland – 10 people died in a few weeks. It is said that later investigation revealed the existence of Aspergillus vera in the tomb.
Anti-cancer potential
Now the same fungi associated with the King Tutt’s grave may have the ability to fight new forms of leukemia Cancer treatment.
Gao told Fox News Digital: “There are multiple compounds that can be produced by fungi.”
She noted that these compounds may be toxic to different cells, depending on “biological management that we can alleviate.”
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The study aims to find a specific compound in Aspergillus flavus – ribosome synthesis and post-translationally modified peptides or “ripps”), which has previously proven to be a good source.
Gao said that when this compound is able to enter cancer cells, it may be able to stop its growth.
“Cancer cells divide uncontrollably,” the high school said during release. “These compounds prevent microtubule formation, which is crucial for cell division.”
First author Qiuyue Nie and co-author Maria Zotova purified samples of fungi from Upenn Lab from the left. (Beautiful Deer/Upenn)
The researchers found that when mixed with human cancer cells, two molecular variants in these RIPPs were found to have an effective effect on leukemia cells.
Another variant, as well as two FDA-approved drugs, have been used to treat leukemia (cellular proteolytic and donolaminomycin).
Potential limitations
Tiffany Troso-Sandoval, MD, a New York-based medical oncologist and cancer care consultant, warned that the study was conducted on cell culture and is still in its early stages.
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“It still does not apply to use Humans suffer from leukemia,” Troso-Sandoval, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
Speaking of Rips, the doctor told Fox News numerals: “What they meant (in the study) was basically a rare biologically active molecule that was isolated from the fungus.”
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A variety of leukemia subtypes are pointed out, including acute and chronic forms.
“One treatment may not work for (another) leukemia,” she noted. Further testing is needed to determine which subtypes may contain active molecules.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer. Once the determined compound is able to enter the cancer cell, it may stop its uncontrolled growth, the researchers say. (iStock)
The compounds explored in the study on the breast, liver or Lung cancer The researchers pointed out that the cells.
This suggests that its destructive effect only works on certain types of cells, which will be an important consideration Develop medicines.
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Going forward, researchers plan to test the potential of fungi in animal models, ultimately human trials.
Gao said she was “excited by what nature can create and how it can benefit our society”.
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The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the University of Pennsylvania, the Welch Foundation, the Houston Regional Molecular Biophysics Program, the Texas Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research, and the National Science Foundation.
