A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has turned a deadly fungus, Aspergillus flavus, into a potent cancer-fighting compound. The fungus, which was linked to deaths in ancient tomb excavations, contains a new class of molecules that have shown promising results against leukemia cells.
The discovery was made after isolating and modifying chemicals from the fungus, which were then tested against leukemia cells. The result is a cancer-killing compound that rivals FDA-approved drugs and opens up new frontiers in the discovery of more fungal medicines.
According to researchers, Aspergillus flavus has long been a microbial villain, linked to deaths in ancient tomb excavations and causing lung infections in people with compromised immune systems. However, their toxins can also be used to create a promising new cancer therapy.
The therapy in question is a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, known as RiPPs. These compounds were identified by the researchers through a novel approach that combined metabolic and genetic information.
“We found that Aspergillus flavus contains a rare fungal find – a new type of peptide with medicinal properties,” said Qiuyue Nie, a postdoctoral fellow in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “Purifying these chemicals is difficult, but it’s also what gives them this remarkable bioactivity.”
The researchers identified four different variants of the RiPPs, which they named asperigimycins. These molecules shared a unique structure of interlocking rings and demonstrated medical potential when mixed with human cancer cells.
One variant, to which lipids were added, performed as well as two FDA-approved drugs that have been used for decades to treat leukemia. The researchers believe that this is due to the presence of a specific gene, SLC46A3, which acts like a gateway for the compounds to enter leukemia cells in sufficient numbers.
The discovery has implications for cancer treatment and drug development. “Knowing that lipids can affect how this gene transports chemicals into cells gives us another tool for drug development,” said Nie.
Further experimentation revealed that asperigimycins likely disrupt the process of cell division, which is essential for cancer cell growth. The compounds had little to no effect on other types of cancer cells or bacteria and fungi.
The researchers believe that there are more fungal RiPPs to be discovered and plan to test asperigimycins in animal models before moving to human clinical trials. “Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy,” said Gao. “It’s up to us to uncover its secrets.”
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-toxic-ancient-tomb-fungus-anti.html