Scientists Discover Breakthrough Method to Destroy 99% of Cancer Cells: Key Details

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, claiming approximately 9.7 million lives in 2022. Continuous research has led to advancements in immunotherapy, targeted treatments, and early detection methods, offering renewed hope in the battle against this devastating disease.

Now, scientists from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas have discovered a groundbreaking method to destroy cancer cells using near-infrared light, with the potential to eliminate 99% of cancer cells. A study published in Nature Chemistry last year revealed that stimulating aminocyanine molecules with near-infrared light causes them to vibrate in unison, effectively rupturing the membranes of cancer cells.

Aminocyanine molecules are not new to the field and are already utilized in bioimaging as synthetic agents.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, with approximately 9.7 million lives lost to the disease in 2022. Advances in research continue to drive progress in treatments, with breakthroughs in immunotherapy, targeted drugs, and early detection providing renewed hope in the fight against this life-threatening illness.

Recently, a team of scientists from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas discovered a novel method to eliminate cancer cells using near-infrared light, achieving an impressive 99% success rate in destroying these cells.

A study published in Nature Chemistry last year revealed that aminocyanine molecules, when stimulated with near-infrared light, begin to vibrate in unison, causing the membranes of cancer cells to rupture. Aminocyanine molecules, already used as synthetic dyes in bioimaging, are valued for their stability in water, their ability to attach to cell surfaces, and their effectiveness in detecting cancer in low doses.

The researchers noted that this approach outperforms a previous cancer-targeting molecular technology, Feringa-type motors, which are also designed to disrupt cell structures but are less effective by comparison.

“This represents a completely new generation of molecular machines that we call molecular jackhammers,” said James Tour, a chemist from Rice University, when the findings were published in December 2023.

“These machines operate at speeds over a million times faster than the earlier Feringa-type motors and can be activated using near-infrared light instead of visible light,” Tour explained.

The use of near-infrared light is particularly significant as it penetrates deeper into the body, enabling the treatment of cancers in bones and internal organs without requiring invasive surgery to access tumor sites.

In laboratory experiments, the researchers tested the technique on lab-grown cancer cells and achieved a remarkable 99% success rate in destroying them. Moreover, in a promising development, trials on mice with melanoma tumors showed that the method rendered half of the test group cancer-free.

“This is the first time a molecular plasmon has been used in this way—to excite the entire molecule and create mechanical action specifically aimed at tearing apart the membranes of cancer cells,” said Ciceron Ayala-Orozco, another chemist from Rice University.

Ayala-Orozco emphasized the innovation behind the approach, stating, “This study showcases a novel way to combat cancer using mechanical forces at the molecular scale.”