Toxic fungus enlisted in fight against leukemia

Researchers say they have been able to modify toxic fungus cells to fight cancer - specifically, leukaemia.

The same mould that has been linked to deaths in the excavations of ancient tombs and found on old bread has the capability of fight leukemia cells.

The fungus is known as aspergillus flavus fungus.

Associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr Sherry Gao, told Saturday Morning the discovery was significant.

Gao said they found a new class of compound which was produced by the fungus. But how does the compound fight cancer?

"We isolated and define the chemical structure of those new compounds," Gao said.

"By making some small chemical tweaks we actually modified the structure a bit, we've found those modified compounds can enter leukaemia cells very selectively.

"Once it's entered the cell, its able to prevent cell division - that's why it could possibly lead to a cure for leukaemia."

This was not the first fungus that has led to a breakthrough in medicine. Penicillin was also created using a fungus.

Gao said her lab was also experimenting with other fungi, aiming to kill other cancer cell lines.

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