31. Streptomyces Peucetius: Breast Cancer Treatment
This soil bacterium produces doxorubicin, an anthracycline compound that intercalates with DNA. This action stops cancer cells from growing and dividing. Oncologists use it to treat breast cancer, leukemia, and other malignancies. Heart damage limits the total lifetime dose patients can receive. Scientists developed liposomal formulations to reduce this toxicity while maintaining effectiveness. Doxorubicin remains a cornerstone of many chemotherapy regimens despite newer targeted therapies.