'Molecular Jackhammers' Break Melanoma Cells' Membrane, Study Finds
Scientists have discovered a new method to destroy cancer cells by using molecules that vibrate strongly when stimulated by near-infrared light. These "molecular jackhammers" can cause the cell membrane of cancerous cells to rupture. In lab cultures of human melanoma cells, the method had a 99% efficiency, and half of the mice with melanoma tumors became cancer-free after treatment. The molecules can be activated with near-infrared light, which can penetrate deeper into the body without damaging tissue. This study presents a new way to treat cancer using mechanical forces at the molecular scale.