Python Named Jodie Foster Becomes First Snake to Receive Pioneering Electrochemotherapy Cancer Treatment

A 15ft (4.5-metre) reticulated python named Jodie Foster is believed to be the first snake in the world to receive a pioneering, life-saving cancer treatment normally used on humans. The 50kg python, who lives at Chester Zoo (搜索)搜索该词条 and has just turned 23, underwent electrochemotherapy after a malignant tumour in her jaw returned following surgery and began invading her jawbone.

Keepers first became concerned that Jodie Foster may be unwell when she began eating less and spending more time inactive in her habitat. She was subsequently diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma (搜索)搜索该疾病 — a malignant tumour — in her jaw, which was removed with surgery but later returned and began to invade her jawbone.

Adapting a Human Cancer Therapy for a Reptile

With her life at risk, the veterinary team worked with cancer specialists to determine whether electrochemotherapy could be adapted for a snake. Ian Ashpole, a veterinary officer at Chester Zoo (搜索)搜索该词条, explained the clinical challenge: "When the tumour came back and started destroying part of her jawbone, we knew more surgery on its own probably wasn't going to be enough. We were facing the possibility of losing her as the tumour made it more and more difficult for her to eat, so we worked with cancer specialists to see whether we could adapt electrochemotherapy for a snake. As far as we're aware, this is the first time it's ever been used in one."

Electrochemotherapy combines the cancer drug bleomycin查看药品详情 with a series of carefully controlled electrical pulses delivered directly to the tumour site. The pulses temporarily make cancer cells more permeable, allowing the drug to enter more effectively.

The Procedure

Jodie Foster, whose name derives from when she first arrived and staff noticed her paperwork was marked "JF" — shorthand for "juvenile female" — is so large that no single operating table could accommodate her. Two tables were pushed together, creating a platform the size of a double bed. She was anaesthetised in her own habitat and carefully carried to the zoo's veterinary centre, where she underwent the 90-minute procedure.

Ashpole first removed the tumorous mass as well as part of Jodie's diseased jawbone, before electrochemotherapy was administered to target any remaining cancerous cells. "We used heated blankets and warmed air to keep her body temperature stable throughout the operation, and after 90 minutes of surgery, she recovered remarkably quickly," said Ashpole.

Recovery and Clinical Significance

Pythons can unhinge their jaws to swallow prey many times the size of their head, and in the months since her surgery, zoo staff have observed that Jodie continues to strike, grip and swallow food without difficulty. She is said to be eating normally and "back to her usual bright and feisty self." A final check this week confirmed that Jodie remained free of any signs of the cancer returning.

Jose Alvarez Picornell, of the University of Liverpool查看公司主页's department of small animal clinical science, said: "Electrochemotherapy is an emerging treatment and this was the first time it had been used in a snake. The success of this treatment is a testament to the power of collaboration. By working closely with Ian, we were able to develop a plan that not only benefited Jodie Foster but will also contribute to the wider veterinary community."

Picornell added: "We will be formally publishing details of the procedure so that veterinary colleagues around the world can learn from and build upon our approach. This has been a very special career highlight for me and a fantastic opportunity to expand the work we do within the department to support high-quality veterinary and translational research."