{"id":5007,"date":"2026-08-21T13:15:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/21\/jodie-foster-becomes-first-snake-to-receive-pioneering-cancer-treatment-typically-used-on-humans\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:15:13","slug":"jodie-foster-becomes-first-snake-to-receive-pioneering-cancer-treatment-typically-used-on-humans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/21\/jodie-foster-becomes-first-snake-to-receive-pioneering-cancer-treatment-typically-used-on-humans\/","title":{"rendered":"Jodie Foster becomes first snake to receive pioneering cancer treatment typically used on humans"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-08-21 13:15:10<\/b>
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A giant python named after Hollywood star Jodie Foster has made veterinary history after becoming the first snake believed to have received a pioneering cancer treatment normally used on humans.

\nThe 15-foot (4.5m) reticulated python, weighing 50kg, was diagnosed with a malignant fibrosarcoma after keepers noticed she was eating less and becoming unusually inactive.

\nThe 23-year-old snake initially had the tumour removed, but it returned and began invading her jawbone.

\nWith her life at risk, vets turned to electrochemotherapy, a treatment that combines the cancer drug bleomycin with controlled electrical pulses to help the medicine penetrate cancer cells.

\nIan Ashpole, a veterinary officer at Chester Zoo, said: “When the tumour came back and started destroying part of her jawbone, we knew more surgery on its own probably wasn\u2019t going to be enough.

\n“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\u2019re aware, this is the first time it\u2019s ever been used in one.”

\nJodie was anaesthetised in her habitat before being carried to the zoo\u2019s veterinary centre for the 90-minute procedure.

\nBecause of her enormous size, two operating tables had to be pushed together to create a platform roughly the size of a double bed.

\nVets removed the tumour and part of the diseased jawbone before administering electrochemotherapy to target cancer cells that remained.

\nThe treatment appears to have worked.

\nMonths later, Jodie is eating normally and has returned to striking, gripping and swallowing her food without difficulty.

\nA final check this week found no signs of the cancer returning.

\nJose Alvarez Picornell, from the University of Liverpool, 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.

\n“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.”

\nJodie\u2019s unusual name dates back to her arrival at the zoo, when staff spotted “JF” on her paperwork, meaning “juvenile female”.

\nShe is now back to her “usual bright and feisty self”, with vets preparing to formally publish details of the procedure so other specialists can learn from the breakthrough.
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