(NewsNation) — Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have transformed a lethal fungus into a powerful cancer-fighting agent by isolating a novel class of molecules from it.

Aspergillus flavus, a toxic fungus linked to fatalities during ancient tomb excavations, was recently tested against leukemia cells, successfully destroying them.

“Fungi provided us with penicillin,” stated Dr. Sherry Gao, the study’s senior author. “These findings indicate that there are still many medicines derived from natural products left to be discovered.”

The aspergillus flavus, named for its yellow spores, has been known as a microbial villain for years.

A series of deaths following the excavation of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 started fueling rumors of a “pharaoh’s curse.” The discovery of King Casimir IV’s tomb in Poland in 1973 led to the deaths of 10 scientists who entered it. The investigations of both tombs revealed they contained the deadly fungus.

Researchers say the next step is to test those compounds in animals with the hope of one day moving to human clinical trials.