Archive · 23 Jun 2025
Toxic Fungus Yields Cancer-Fighting Compound
Scientists have discovered a way to use a deadly fungus, often found in ancient tombs, to fight cancer.
They found a compound called asperigimycins, which belongs to a family of molecules called RiPPs, inside the fungus Aspergillus flavus.
When tested on leukemia cells, the compound stopped the cancer cells from dividing, which could potentially kill them.
This finding highlights the possibility of finding new medicines from natural sources.
Researchers are excited about the potential of this discovery and hope to develop new cancer treatments.
Researchers discovered a cancer-fighting compound within the fungus Aspergillus flavus.
The compound, asperigimycins, was tested against leukemia cells with promising results.
Asperigimycins belong to a class of molecules called RiPPs.
The fungus is often called the "pharaoh's curse" and was found in ancient tombs.
The compound disrupts cancer cell division.
- Who
- A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
- What
- Researchers have found a cancer-fighting compound in Aspergillus flavus.
- When
- The findings were published on June 23.
- Where
- US
- Why
- To develop new medicines derived from natural products.
- Research Focus
- Cancer treatment using fungal compounds
- Fungus Used
- Aspergillus flavus
- Compound Type
- RiPPs (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides)
- Target Cancer
- Leukemia cells
- Researchers
- University of Pennsylvania
