Technology causes cancer cells to destroy themselves

Scientists have just created a new technique that can cause cancer cells to self-destruct by injecting salt into them.

According to Nature Chemistry magazine, an international team of scientists has been studying to create a molecule that can kill cancer through bringing sodium and chloride ions into cells . Artificial ion transport vehicles were previously invented, but this is the first time researchers have shown how injecting salt into a cell triggers cell death.

Cancer cells look under a microscope.(Photo: Corbis)

Professor Philip Gale of the University of Southampton (UK), a member of the research team explained, cells in the human body must work hard to maintain stable concentration of ions inside their cell membranes. Breaking down this complex balance can push cells into a programmed suicide process, a mechanism often mobilized when the body wants to get rid of damaged or dangerous cells.

Therefore, a way to destroy cancer cells is to avoid this destructive action sequence by changing the ion balance in the cells. Unfortunately, when a cell becomes cancer, it changes the way ions pass through the cell membrane, disabling the suicide process.

Researchers have overcome this obstacle by developing a technique to inject salt into cell membranes . Unfortunately, this process also destroys healthy cells. This is a challenge to overcome so that technology can be used to treat cancer effectively.

However, this new artificial ion-transporting molecule technique could pave the way for the development of advanced anti-cancer drugs and benefit patients with cystic fibrosis.