Scientists have discovered a unique method to kill cancer affected cells without damaging healthy cells.
Most current cancer treatments affect healthy tissues along with tumors, resulting in serious side effects. To reduce this collateral damage, researchers are searching for treatment methods that specifically target only cancer cells.
In this regard, an international research team led by the University of Geneva and the University of Marburg has discovered an unusual strategy that uses a mimic of the amino acid cysteine.
This sulfur containing molecule significantly slows the growth of certain types of cancer while having no negative effect on healthy cells. Since this compound is primarily absorbed by specific cancer cells, it disrupts important functions such as cellular respiration and DNA production.
Experiments conducted on mice showed that this mechanism significantly reduced the growth of aggressive breast cancer, indicating a promising direction for a targeted and effective treatment. These results have been published in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism.
The team at the University of Geneva examined the effects of different amino acids on cancer cells. Experiments showed that D-cysteine (D-Cys), which contains a sulfur atom, effectively stops the growth of certain cancer cells in laboratory conditions. Importantly, healthy cells were not affected by it, which makes it unusual.
According to researchers, this difference between cancer and healthy cells can be easily understood. D-Cys enters cells through a specific transporter that exists only on the surface of certain cancer cells.
Researchers further explained that they observed if the same transporter is expressed on the surface of healthy cells, they also stop growing in the presence of D-Cys.
Through collaboration with the team at the University of Marburg, scientists also discovered how D-Cys produces its toxic effect.
According to researchers, it blocks an important enzyme called NFS1 found in mitochondria, which are known as the powerhouses of the cell. This enzyme plays a key role in the formation of iron sulfur clusters, which are essential for several biological processes such as cellular respiration, DNA and RNA production, and maintaining genetic integrity.
If future research proves this method to be safe and effective, D-cysteine could provide a simple, modern, and selective treatment for cancers that express the relevant transporter in high amounts.
According to experts, it may also play a role in preventing metastasis, an important stage in the spread of the disease that is a major cause of cancer severity.
