title: Medical application of scorpion venom to breast cancer: A mini-review.
abstract: Breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality in women worldwide. Today, 1 in 8 women born in the United States will have an invasive cancer in their lifetime. Despite significant attempts, the prognosis of metastatic breast cancer still remains poor. This has compelled scientists to look elsewhere for better therapeutic outcomes. Recent advances in venomic studies have demonstrated some promise in cancer-related ailments. Scorpion venom, a complex cocktail of biogenic amines, proteins, peptides, mucoproteins, organic salts and neurotoxins has shown a potential therapeutic application due to its cytotoxic, apoptogenic, immunosuppressive and antiproliferative properties. This communication reviews the effects of scorpion venom components on breast cancer and their mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth & Biological Sciences, School of Medicine Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, United States. Electronic address: chrisopokumens@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sarfo-Poku
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth & Biological Sciences, School of Medicine Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, United States. Electronic address: eshunol@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eshun
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth & Biological Sciences, School of Medicine Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, United States.
authors.forename: Kyung Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D012604:Scorpion Venoms
keywords: Apoptosis; BcL-2; BmHYA1; Bmk; Caspase; FasL expression; Neopladine; Nitric oxide; SKBR3; Scorpion venom