Scorpion Venom as a Source of Cancer Drugs: A Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis and Therapeutic Potential

Scorpion venom has emerged as a promising source of anticancer compounds due to its diverse bioactive components, including neurotoxins, antimicrobial peptides, and enzymes. Proteomic analyses have characterized venom composition in several species, while further functional assays have clarified their anticancer mechanisms. This review synthesizes current knowledge on scorpion venom-derived peptides with demonstrated anticancer activity, which selectively target ion channels, induce apoptosis, or disrupt tumor microenvironments. Where available, we highlight proteomic studies that have identified these components and discuss their structural features relevant to drug design. We also examine clinical applications and the challenges in translating venom peptides into therapies. The crucial and growing role of proteomics in this field, particularly for venom fractionation, component identification, and structural characterization, is critically evaluated.