A reticulated python at Chester Zoo in England has become the first snake known to be treated for cancer using electrochemotherapy [5].
This case marks a significant milestone in veterinary medicine by adapting a specialized human oncology technique for reptilian patients. The success of the procedure suggests new possibilities for treating malignant tumors in animals that previously had limited options.
Jodie Foster, the 23-year-old python [3], measures 15 feet in length and weighs 110 pounds [1, 2]. She was treated by zoo caretakers and cancer specialists from the University of Liverpool to remove malignant tumors that threatened her life [0].
The medical team utilized electrochemotherapy, a method originally developed for human skin cancers [6]. This process uses electrical pulses to increase the permeability of cell membranes, allowing chemotherapy drugs to enter the tumor cells more effectively [6].
Following the procedure, the python is reported as cancer-free [0]. Experts estimate she has about seven years of remaining lifespan [4].
The treatment was necessary because the tumors were malignant and required an aggressive approach to save the animal [4]. By collaborating with human cancer specialists, the zoo was able to apply a high-trust medical protocol to a non-traditional patient.
Chester Zoo, located in Cheshire, United Kingdom, coordinated the effort to ensure the 110-pound snake [2] could safely undergo the procedure. The integration of human medical technology into zoo care highlights a growing trend of cross-species medical application.
“The python is reported as cancer-free after receiving electrochemotherapy.”
The successful application of electrochemotherapy in a reticulated python demonstrates that human oncological treatments can be adapted for exotic wildlife. This creates a precedent for treating other reptiles and amphibians with malignant tumors, potentially expanding the standard of care in zoological institutions globally.
