Whole snake venoms: Cytotoxic, anti-metastatic and antiangiogenic properties

Harald Kerkkamp, Christoph Bagowski, Jeroen Kool, Babette van Soolingen, Freek J. Vonk, Daniëlle Vlecken*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Currently, biological and organic substances are screened in order to find a new generation of therapeutics active against cancer. Previous research has identified promising candidate peptides in snake venom. In this study, venoms from different snake species (Naja annulifera, Naja kaouthia, Ophiophagus hannah and Echis carinatus) were screened for potential anti-cancer properties using pancreatic tumour cells as the assay system. The cells were incubated with venom and then subjected to the following analyses: (i) in vitro cell death (ii) in vitro migration (iii) in vivo dissemination and (iv) in vivo angiogenesis. For the in vivo assays, the cells, after incubation and labelling, were transplanted into the yolk sac of zebrafish embryos for motility and angiogenesis. The results showed strong effects in cells treated with venoms from Ophiophagus hannah and Echis carinatus in the in vitro assays. In the in vivo assays, venom derived from Ophiophagus hannah had the most potent effects with respect to angiogenesis. These venoms might therefore be considered as candidates for further studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-49
Number of pages11
JournalToxicon
Volume150
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2018

Keywords

  • Anti-angiogenic
  • Anti-metastatic
  • Cobra
  • Cytotoxicity
  • Pancreatic tumour cells
  • Snake venom
  • Viper
  • Zebrafish

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Whole snake venoms: Cytotoxic, anti-metastatic and antiangiogenic properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this