The compound, developed by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and five other institutions, disrupts the flow of sodium and chloride ions into cancer cells, essentially inducing a kind of cellular-level suicide in the tumors.

 

The advance, described in the journal Nature Chemistry, confirms what many cancer researchers have suspected — but been unable to demonstrate — for more than 20 years. As a result, it could point the way to new anticancer drugs while also benefitting patients with cystic fibrosis, said Jonathan Sessler, professor UT's College of Natural Sciences and co-author of the study.
 

"We have demonstrated that this mechanism is viable, that this idea that's been around for over two decades is scientifically valid, and that's exciting," said Sessler. "This is exciting because it points the way towards a new approach to anti-cancer drug development."
 

Sessler explained that cells in the human body work hard to maintain a stable concentration of ions inside their cell membranes. Disruption of this delicate balance can trigger cells to undergo programmed cell death — a mechanism the body uses to rid itself of damaged or dangerous cells.
 

The researchers found that one way of destroying cancer cells is to trigger this sequence by disrupting the ion balance in cells with a synthetic compound the team created.
 

The next step for the researchers is to test the new compound in animals, then testing can proceed to clinical trials in cancer patients.