Can a Veterinary Drug be Repurposed for Human Cancers?: Cytotoxic Effect of Tarantulacubensis Venom on Human Cancer Cells

Tarantula cubensis is known as Cuban tarantula having a venom that contains a diversemixture of potent compounds with various biological activities. These peptides have been shown to haveantitumor activities, therefore features of spider-venom peptides prompted scientists to test them as apotential anticancer drug. The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential cytotoxic effect ofTarantula cubensis venom (Logoplex®) on human cancer cells including prostate (PC-3), lung (H69),breast (MDA-MB-231), and ovarian (OVCAR-3). Moreover, non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells wereused to evaluate the possible cancer cell-specific effect of the extract. The increasing concentrations ofLogoplex® were applied for 24, 48 and 72 h. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability.Concentration-response curves and the IC50 values were determined via Graphpad Prism software.Logoplex® caused a time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect in MDA-MB-231, PC-3,OVCAR-3 and MCF-10A cells and the highest cytotoxicity was achieved at 72h. However, in H69 cells,there was a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect and the highest cytotoxicity was achieved at 24h.IC50 values of Logoplex® in MDA-MB-231, OVCAR-3, PC-3, H69 and MCF-10A cells weredetermined as 159.3±2.1, 48.9±1.8, 40.2±1.2, 498.3±1.2 and 217.8±2.0 µg/mL, respectively.Logoplex® showed a lower cytotoxic effect against normal cells than the cancer cells suggesting acancer cell-specific effect. According to the preliminary results of this study, although Logoplex® is aveterinary drug, its cytotoxic effect on human cancer cells suggests that it should be re-evaluated as apotential cytotoxic agent. Analyses to identify functional compounds of Tarantula cubensis venom, andfuture studies addressing its mechanism of action on cancer cells are recommended.

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