Scientists Create New Way to Destroy Cancer Cells

Scientists just found a way to physically push cancer-causing proteins into a cell's own waste disposal system, where they get shredded and eliminated. Even better, they created a second method that reprograms cancerous cells to return to normal, healthy function.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst published two studies in the Journal of the American Chemical Society showing these complementary approaches work. Both techniques target proteins on cell surfaces that, when damaged, can trigger uncontrolled growth or hide cancer cells from the immune system.

The first breakthrough, called PolyTAC, works like a precision targeting system. An antibody identifies the exact troublesome protein among thousands on the cell surface, then a polymer physically presses that spot inward, creating a dimple in the cell membrane.

"If you think of the cell surface as a balloon, we discovered that when you physically press the balloon, making a dimple, in just the right spot, that deformation triggers the cell's internalization machinery," explains graduate student Jithu Krishna. The cell then routes the damaged protein to its waste disposal system and destroys it.

The second platform, called ACDV, takes a different approach by delivering healthy, functional proteins to the cell's surface. Instead of destroying what's broken, this method adds what's missing, essentially reprogramming the cancer cell to behave normally again.

The team successfully demonstrated they could implant four different proteins into cellular walls. This means doctors could customize treatments for individual patients, either removing the "mask" that hides cancer from the immune system or stopping abnormal cell division.

Why This Inspires

These aren't just cancer treatments. Distinguished Professor Sankaran Thayumanavan, who led both studies, calls them "platform technologies" that can be customized to treat all sorts of cellular diseases beyond cancer.

The physical approach represents a surprising departure from traditional biochemical methods. Graduate student Ryan Lu describes it simply: "Our PolyTAC zeroes in on the specific weed and routes it to the shredder machinery in the cell to destroy it, thanks to the physical contact made by the polymer."

The flexibility of both platforms opens doors to personalized medicine. Doctors could tailor treatments to each patient's specific protein problems, potentially reducing side effects while increasing effectiveness across immunological diseases.

Two complementary tools in one breakthrough moment gives medicine powerful new options for fighting diseases at the cellular level.