A victim of a Deathstalker Scorpion sting will, at the very least, experience extreme pain. At worst, one might suffer paralysis or even die from heart and respiratory failure.

But some researchers have discovered ways to use this venom to benefit cancer research, a method now being tested at WSU.

Dr. Jim Olson, a pediatric neuro-oncologist and researcher at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, developed “tumor paint” based on the molecular composition of Deathstalker venom. The venom is particularly dangerous because it is so specific, targeting neuro-tissues. This affinity made it the perfect starting point for Olson.

“Dr. Olson has been working toward the goal of being able to differentiate tumor tissue from normal tissue, specifically with children’s brain tumors in mind because that’s one of the most difficult to treat,” said William Dernell, professor and chair of WSU’s veterinary clinical sciences. “The neurosurgeons have a very difficult time telling what is tumor and what is normal brain tissue [sic]. If you leave tumor behind, it’s going to grow back. If you take too much … you could potentially damage (the brain).”

The tumor paint is administered intravenously and binds to tumor cells and illuminates them, so surgeons can identify which tissue is tumor and which is brain.

Olson and a team of researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center developed the paint in a study published in the July 15, 2007 issue of “Cancer Research.” Olson launched Blaze Bioscience, Inc. in 2010 to further develop and commercialize the tumor paint technology.

Tumor paint is only based off the Deathstalker; it doesn’t contain any actual venom, Dernell said, explaining that, “It’s not even venom anymore- it’s totally synthetic, based on a protein in the venom.”

Blaze approached WSU with the question of whether or not the product could be used on dogs.

“Brain tumors aren’t extremely common in dogs, but once (Olson) discovered that (the compound) would target other tumors, he thought to push this whole process forward with getting veterinarians involved,” Dernell said.

WSU started clinical trials in November 2014, using 28 dogs that already had tumors. WSU began by testing for tolerability, with promising results.

Other than a mild allergic reaction after injection, Dernell said no other toxicities were observed. The reaction was also self-eliminating.

Researchers also found that most tumors would take up the dye and—while some normal tissues would do the same—they absorbed less, making them distinguishable.

“It’s always nice when things work the way you think they’re going to work,” Dernell said.

He added that the next phase of the project will focus on gaining enough information that, “We could tell the user, ‘Look at the dye. When you have this amount of green, that’s tumor (tissue).’”

He said they still need to learn more in order to reach that level of confidence.

Participating in the study came at a price for the owners, which was partially covered by the available funding for the study.

“If (participation) is completely free, we’ve seen that owners are less likely to follow up,” Dernell said. “They don’t tend to have the same investment in it.”

However, he said owners were happy to participate, not just for the benefit of their own dogs, but to help test a product that could be used to help children with cancer.

Other institutions are working with similar products, Dernell said, adding, “There are a lot of tumor paints out there, with various names and compounds, all with the same goal.”

The next phase of the WSU study will involve using new imaging devices to get a better look at the tumors.

Phase 1 used a larger camera with limited mobility. Researchers will soon receive a small, handheld unit that can be used to view different angles and get a closer look at tumors.

In September 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared tumor paint for use in human trials. The product will be tested on up to 21 patients.

“I do definitely see this as a tool for veterinarians and hopefully for people as well,” Dernell said.