Cancer research benefits from use of venom from the Chaco rattlesnake, Crotalus d. terrificus

Wiley, Kristen

kyreptilezoo@kyreptilezoo.org

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo                                                                                                                                 

200 L&E Railroad Pl                                                                                                                                      

Slade, Kentucky USA 

Venom derived from a colony of the Chaco Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) housed at Kentucky Reptile Zoo (KRZ) is being used to develop a drug for solid tumors, most notably non-small cell lung cancer. My talk is an overview of the challenges, protocol adjustments, and details involved with producing venom for a novel drug. Pitvipers, in general, are not “machines,” and the durissus group, in particular, is not extremely active and does not produce huge quantities of venom. KRZ is currently in the process of scaling up the colony of this species and managing individuals in a way to meet the company’s needs and expectations without excessively stressing the subjects. This project also highlights the need for conservation and research efforts on these rattlesnakes in situ, in order to ensure that helpful drugs in the future are possible.