Sea Squirt Toxin Targets Cancer Cells

Targeted Treatment May Eliminate Side Effects of Chemotherapy

A shy sea creature, Diazona angulata, may hold the secret to targeted cancer treatment in the near future. Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that the sea squirt makes a toxin which can reduce tumors by preventing the cancer cells from rapidly dividing and multiplying. A synthetic form of the toxin is called Diazonamide. "Not only has this UT Southwestern team identified a potent anti-cancer drug, but its unique mode of action avoids the kinds of side effects that make cancer chemotherapy so difficult," said Dr. John Schwab, of the National Institutes of Health. Chemotherapy targets every cell in your body, and attacks the fastest-growing cells the hardest, thus causing many side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and anemia. Diazonamide would affect cancer cells only, leaving healthy cells unharmed by treatment.

• Sea creature's toxin could lead to promising cancer treatment