It induces lethal calcium influx in tumor cells by targeting specific channels. This innovative approach utilizes existing calcium ions in tumors and has been successfully tested in mice, providing a potential new approach to cancer**.
Calcium ions play a vital role in cell function, but if the calcium ion content is too high, it can cause harm to the cells. Researchers have recently developed a compound that targets and destroys tumor cells by regulating the influx of calcium ions into cells. This innovative approach utilizes calcium ions already present in the tumor tissue without the need for an external calcium source. An article published in the journal Angewandte Chemie details the findings.
Biological cells need calcium ions to maintain the proper functioning of mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells. However, if there are too many calcium ions, the mitochondrial processes are out of balance and the cells are suffocated. The research team, led by Juyoung Yoon of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, and a team from China used this process to develop a synergistic anti-tumor drug that can open calcium ion channels, thereby triggering a deadly calcium ion storm within tumor cells.
The researchers found two channels, one on the outer membrane and the other a calcium channel in the endoplasmic reticulum. They used the dye indocyanine green to produce ROS that opens calcium channels in the outer membrane and activated this bioactive agent by near-infrared irradiation.
The local high temperature activates another active agent, BNN-6, to release nitric oxide molecules, which open channels in the endoplasmic reticulum. Following a successful trial of the tumor cell line, the team tested an injectable formulation in mice implanted with tumors. This ion influx method may also be applicable to related biomedical research fields, as a similar mechanism can activate ion channels that are different from calcium ion channels, thus finding new methods.
Compilation**: scitechdaily