Medical Could Botulin Toxin be a Potential Cure for Cancer?

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The discussion explores the potential use of botulinum toxin, known for its effects on the acetylcholine cycle, as a cancer treatment by targeting cancer cells to induce cell death. The idea is that if botulinum can disrupt cellular processes, it might be repurposed for cancer therapy. However, challenges arise in effectively targeting cancer cells without affecting healthy ones. Current anti-cancer drugs typically focus on rapidly dividing cells, but finding specific markers for tumor cells remains a significant hurdle. The conversation also references historical connections between bioterrorism agents, like mustard gas, and the development of chemotherapy drugs, highlighting the complex relationship between toxic substances and medical advancements.
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couple months ago i don't know why really. but i was reading up on Botox. which is ofcoarse related to the good old "Botulin toxin" and this screws with acetocolyne(sp?) cycle. which then this causes the cells to eventually die.

Now what I am wondering. could this be used as like a cancer cure? Infect the cancer cells and then when the acetocolyne is screwed up the cancer cells die.

and if the answer is going to be something like, you can't infect certain cells with Botulin like you propose. Then maybe another toxin which does something similar. or a new one which is design to such.

and from one of my other going threads. You sure can design a drug to do the effect you want. maybe some bad side effects but meh.
 
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There are many drugs available that kill cells, the problem is how do you target the right cells? Most anti-cancer drugs are designed to target molecules involved in cell replication, since tumor cells divide rapidly and are thus sensitized. There are attempts to look for tumor-specific expressed markers that can be used to target only the cancerous cells, but this has not been very effective yet.

Interesting that you mention bioterrorism, I remember the connection between mustard gas and anti-cancer drugs. It was noted that mustard gas victims had a low blood count: they had few white blood cells, and their bone marrow was breaking down. They did tests on mice which led to the clinical use of nitrogen mustards for chemotherapy (it an alkylating agent).
 
Monique said:
Interesting that you mention bioterrorism, I remember the connection between mustard gas and anti-cancer drugs. It was noted that mustard gas victims had a low blood count: they had few white blood cells, and their bone marrow was breaking down. They did tests on mice which led to the clinical use of nitrogen mustards for chemotherapy (it an alkylating agent).
some links to that would prove you to be truly better ?

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