Researchers have discovered a novel way to detect rare pancreatic tumors using a chemical substance found in Gila monster spit. The venomous lizard's saliva contains a substance with a high affinity for binding to the GLP1 receptor, which is present on insulinoma cells. This has led to the development of a new PET scan variant called Extendin-PET, which has shown a 95% accuracy rate in detecting insulinomas compared to traditional scans. The breakthrough could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for patients with this condition.

Source: https://www.popsci.com/science/gila-monster-spit-tumor/