A deadly fungus linked to the deaths of several well-known archaeologists who opened Tutankhamun's tomb 102 years ago could offer a breakthrough to curing cancer.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have transformed the deadly fungus into a promising treatment for leukaemia.
Aspergillus flavus, a toxic mould that can trigger fatal breathing problems in people with weakened immune systems, produces compounds called asperigimycins that demonstrate potent cancer-killing effects.
The research team discovered that these compounds perform as effectively as cytarabine and daunorubicin, two FDA-approved drugs that have been used to treat leukaemia for decades.
"Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy, it's up to us to uncover its secrets," said Dr Sherry Gao, an associate professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
The breakthrough findings, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, mark the beginning of animal testing for the potential new treatment.
The fungus has a deadly reputation stretching back over a century.
After archaeologists opened Tutankhamun's tomb in 1923, several members of the excavation team died unexpectedly, including British patron Lord Carnarvon, financier George Jay Gould and Egyptologist Arthur Mace.
Tutankhamun's death mask
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Aspergillus flavus
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These deaths fuelled rumours of a pharaoh's curse, though experts later theorised that fungal spores, dormant for millennia, could have played a role.
The pattern repeated in the 1970s when a dozen conservationists entered the tomb of 15th-century Polish king Casimir IV Jagiellon. Within weeks, 10 of them had died.
Later investigations revealed the presence of Aspergillus flavus, which can lie dormant for centuries in sealed tombs, often growing on cereals left as grave goods.
The fungus becomes active once disturbed, potentially causing invasive aspergillosis in vulnerable individuals.
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Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia (with hand on hip) attends the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun at Luxor in 1922
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The researchers found that asperigimycins work by disrupting cancer cell division.
"Cancer cells divide uncontrollably," Dr Gao explained.
"These compounds block the formation of microtubules, which are essential for cell division."
The team tested four variants of asperigimycins against human leukaemia cells, with two showing particularly potent effects.
Microscope image of Aspergillus flavus
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When they enhanced one variant by adding a lipid molecule found in royal jelly, it matched the performance of established cancer drugs.
However, the compounds showed little to no effect on breast, liver or lung cancer cells, suggesting they specifically target leukaemia.
The discovery represents a class of molecules called ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), which undergo significant modifications after production.
Whilst thousands have been identified in bacteria, only a handful have been found in fungi.
Six of the 26 people present when Tutankhamun's tomb was opened died within a decade
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The research team plans to begin animal testing as the next phase of development, with hopes of eventually progressing to human clinical trials.
"Fungi gave us penicillin. These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found," Dr Gao noted.
The scientists identified similar gene clusters in other fungi, suggesting additional potential drugs await discovery.
"Even though only a few have been found, almost all of them have strong bioactivity," said Qiuyue Nie, of the department of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
"This is an unexplored region with tremendous potential."
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