A collaborative research team from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas has achieved a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against cancer. The researchers identified a method to eliminate cancer cells by utilizing the intense vibrations exhibited by certain molecules when exposed to near-infrared light.
In their study, the researchers discovered that the atoms of a small dye molecule used for medical imaging could vibrate in unison, forming a plasmon, when stimulated by near-infrared light. This unique property led to the rupture of the cell membrane in cancerous cells. The method showed a remarkable 99 percent efficiency against lab cultures of human melanoma cells. Additionally, half of the mice with melanoma tumors became cancer-free after treatment.
The researchers referred to this innovative approach as “molecular jackhammers,” representing a new generation of molecular machines. These molecular jackhammers operate with an entirely novel mechanism of action, demonstrating over one million times faster mechanical motion than previous motor types. They can be activated with near-infrared light, allowing penetration as deep as 10 centimeters into the human body without damaging tissue, a significant advancement compared to visible light.
Rice chemist James Tour, whose lab has previously developed nanoscale compounds for drilling through the outer membrane of infectious bacteria, cancer cells, and treatment-resistant fungi, emphasized the significance of this discovery. The molecular jackhammers represent a powerful tool in the ongoing efforts to combat cancer, offering a highly efficient and minimally invasive approach for eliminating cancer cells.
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