Panamanian scientist Aristides Quintero  Rueda has been awarded the Novel 2018 International Research Prize from the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX)  for research linking snake venom and cancer

The distinction for the professor from the Autonomous University of Chiriqui (UNACHI), came for  his research work on new therapeutic strategies against breast cancer and T cell leukemia; from enzymatically inactive phospholipases A2 (MTX-II) isolated from the venom of the snake Bothrops Asper from Panama (velvet snake or Equis).

"MTX-II can open the doors to a new era of emerging research and therapy from snake venom proteins and peptides for the treatment of cancer. However, more studies should be done to ensure the safety and efficacy of MTX-II for the development of anti-cancer drugs, "he said.

He presented the results of his  work at  the 10th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries, organized by IUTOX and the Toxicology Society of Serbia (SETOX) last April, in Belgrade, Serbia

The Director of the Center for Information and Research in Toxicology and Applied Chemistry (CEIITOXQUIA), called on private and public companies to provide more support to the field of toxicology.

"Toxicology is a cross-cutting science in human and environmental health, which is concerned with the welfare of society and  the country's economy. We are just taking the first steps to become known nationally and internationally, that in Panama we are interested, taught and researched in the broad field of this scientific branch.

We need the support and interest of all, government, private companies, universities, centers, institutes, NGOs and the general public, " said Dr Rueda.

Snake venom in cancer treatment research earns major award

Panamanian scientist Aristides Quintero Rueda, has been awarded the Novel 2018 International Research Prize from the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX)  for research linking snake venom and cancer

The distinction for the professor from the Autonomous University of Chiriqui (UNACHI), came for  her research work on new therapeutic strategies against breast cancer and T cell leukemia; from enzymatically inactive phospholipases A2 (MTX-II) isolated from the venom of the snake Bothrops Asper from Panama (velvet snake or Equis).

"MTX-II can open the doors to a new era of emerging research and therapy from snake venom proteins and peptides for the treatment of cancer. However, more studies should be done to ensure the safety and efficacy of MTX-II for the development of anti-cancer drugs, "she said.

She presented the results of her  work at  the 10th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries, organized by IUTOX and the Toxicology Society of Serbia (SETOX) last April, in Belgrade, Serbia

The Director of the Center for Information and Research in Toxicology and Applied Chemistry (CEIITOXQUIA), called on private and public companies to provide more support to the field of toxicology.

"Toxicology is a cross-cutting science in human and environmental health, which is concerned with the welfare of society and  the country's economy. We are just taking the first steps to become known nationally and internationally, that in Panama we are interested, taught and researched in the broad field of this scientific branch. We need the support and interest of all, government, private companies, universities, centers, institutes, NGOs and the general public, " said Dr Rueda.