In recent years worldwide research is undertaken to unravel the secrets of snake venom ingredients towards Cancer therapeutic applications. In vitro studies by snake venom toxins (crotoxin) have caused apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

Some components of the snake venom bring inflammatory reactions and release of cytokines in order to kill the normal tissue cells and death of both tissues and the victim. However some components like disintegrins peptides and proteins could be employed against cancer growth as they can dissolute the adhesive and scaffolding cell mass, covering the growing tumour inside and can also act as chaperones to the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs and both can bring in synergy the total destruction of the malignant tumour through differential mechanisms operating in coherence simultaneously, leaving bleak/freak chance for the survival of residual resistant cells, fibroblasts, cancer stem cells and metastatic invasion.

The pursuance of research in this direction would be a prudent approach in its own right and may constitute a new trend in cancer therapy.

Dr. K. Ramalingan served 28 years as Professor of Zoology and Biotechnology and as Senior Scientist at Mediclone Biotech Co. He also held the positions of Head of the Department and Dean of Science at AMET University, Chennai. In addition, he was a member of the Institutional Internal Ethics Committee at Dr. Rai Memorial Cancer Hospital, Chennai. He is presently working as Honorary Senior Project Scientist at Chennai Snake Park Trust.