×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
23
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 13°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Greek-Australian scientist hopes to cure cancer using spider venom

“We found the Australian funnel-web spider peptide was better at killing melanoma cancer cells and stopping them from spreading"

Newsroom November 16 10:46

Recently published results from a study at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have revealed that the cure for cancer could be hiding in the venom of spiders belonging to the Darling Downs funnel-web species.

According to Queensland researcher Dr. Maria Ikonomopoulou these spiders that can be found throughout eastern Australia and can cause severe symptoms of poisoning to humans, may do more good for mankind than bad.

“It’s very exciting,” Dr, Ikonomopoulou told abc.net.au in an interview.

>Related articles

6th Meeting of Catechumens and distribution of catechetical material in Stockholm

Where Christianity is still Persecuted: Beheadings in Mozambique, underage sex slaves in the Occupied Cyprus, churches burned in Nigeria, rapes in Pakistan

Our army will remain in Gaza, says Israeli Defence Minister

“We found the Australian funnel-web spider peptide was better at killing melanoma cancer cells and stopping them from spreading, and it also didn’t have a toxic effect on healthy skin cells.”

As the researcher explained, venom from the funnel-web spider was extracted and chemically synthesized, revealing that it possesses anti-cancerous properties. Specifically, a peptide in the venom when tested was found that it can eliminate certain melanoma cancer cells and stop them from spreading.

Read more HERE

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#australian#cancer#diaspora#doctor#greek#health#science#scientist#spider#toxic#Venom#world
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

The cost of blockades to the market reaches €200 million per week, with Thessaly suffering the greatest damage

December 23, 2025

Where Christianity is still Persecuted: Beheadings in Mozambique, underage sex slaves in the Occupied Cyprus, churches burned in Nigeria, rapes in Pakistan

December 23, 2025

Greece, Cyprus and Israel decide on joint interdisciplinary exercises and co-training of Special Forces

December 23, 2025

Active Combat: Bill on the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention and Management

December 23, 2025

Irritation in the Turkish media as well over the Trilateral: “The alliance of evil”

December 23, 2025

Smaragda Karydi and Thodoris Atheridis have separated after 23 years

December 23, 2025

Damage, anger and hardship, cancellations in tourism up to 50% due to roadblocks – “Mainland Greece is bleeding,” professionals say

December 23, 2025

Our army will remain in Gaza, says Israeli Defence Minister

December 23, 2025
All News

> Economy

Decrease in container traffic in Piraeus, upward trends in other European ports of COSCO

The return of the Suez and Red Sea routes is expected to revive activity at the country's largest port

December 23, 2025

Saks in the shadow of bankruptcy – In a difficult position despite raising billions

December 23, 2025

Properties linked to Jackie O’ Bar Mykonos face foreclosure procedures

December 23, 2025

Property purchases by foreign buyers down 23.9% over nine months

December 23, 2025

Japan to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant, 15 years after the Fukushima disaster

December 22, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα