A new way of delivering a substance makes cancer cells self-destruct

Using a genetically engineered sensor, researchers determined changes in the concentration of peroxide in cells

hydrogen (H2O2) - a specialized molecule,known as an oxidizing agent. “The development of some tumors depends on elevated levels of H2O2,” explains Hadley Sykes, assistant professor and professor of chemical engineering at MIT. “But a further increase in the concentration of this oxidant can lead to programmed cell death.”

In the study, scientists were the first to discover a method for increasing the amount of hydrogen in special compounds, which leads to the death of cancer cells.

The first Russian drug with a cancer killer gene will be tested in Russia

In the fight against cancer, they have already trieduse medicinal methods that are based on increasing the level of an oxidizing agent in cells. But without a reliable method for detecting hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells before and after drug treatment, accurate therapy remained unavailable.

Malignant tumors often developa large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and in order to reduce the impact, they produce, among other things, hydrogen peroxide. However, a large number of them can lead to the destruction of cancer cells.

In addition to hydrogen peroxide, Sykes plansuse other molecules that also perform essential functions in cells. These are active nitrogen and sulfur species that must be studied in terms of fighting cancer cells.

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