A compound found in a parasitic fungus that commonly paralyzes and kills caterpillars has been shown to block pathways critical for the growth of some cancers.
The researchers found cordycepin triphosphate blocks two separate signaling pathways often hijacked by cancer cells to assist their spread throughout the human body. Although it’s not clear yet which molecules cordycepin triphosphate is targeting the team did find that the chemical appeared to be working quickly.
Source:
Cordycepin generally inhibits growth factor signal transduction in a systems pharmacology study
https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1873-3468.15046
Yeah, do you want The Last of Us? Because that is how you get The Last of Us.
The important thing to know about fungal infections is that human core temperature is basically too warm to support fungal life. So, we do see skin infections but afaik not internal ones.
Human fungal infections do happen internally. Usually your immune system prevents them, not your temperature. That’s why many of the diseases listed here are more common in immunocompromised folks.
Oh, well damn it.