Web Desk: One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is that many therapies attack both tumors and healthy tissues, often causing serious side effects. To overcome this issue, researchers around the world are working to develop treatments that selectively target cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
In a recent breakthrough, an international research team led by the University of Geneva and University of Marburg has identified a promising new approach involving a “mirror” form of the amino acid cysteine.
The study found that a specific form known as D-cysteine (D-Cys), a sulfur-containing molecule, can significantly slow the growth of certain cancer cells without affecting healthy ones. Researchers discovered that this compound is primarily absorbed by specific cancer cells, where it interferes with critical cellular functions, including respiration and DNA synthesis.
Promising Results in Preclinical Studies
In laboratory experiments and mouse models, the treatment notably reduced the growth of aggressive breast tumors. These findings suggest a highly targeted therapeutic strategy that may reduce the harmful side effects commonly associated with traditional cancer treatments.
The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism.
Why Cancer Cells Are Affected — But Not Healthy Cells
The study was led by Professor Jean-Claude Martinou from the University of Geneva’s Faculty of Science. According to the researchers, the selectivity of D-Cys lies in how it enters cells.
D-Cys is transported into cells through a specific protein transporter that is present mainly on the surface of certain cancer cells. Healthy cells generally do not express this transporter, which explains why they remain unaffected.
Interestingly, researchers observed that when this transporter was artificially introduced into healthy cells, those cells also stopped multiplying in the presence of D-Cys — further confirming the compound’s mechanism of action.
How the Compound Works
Through collaboration with Professor Roland Lill’s team at the University of Marburg, scientists identified the biological mechanism behind the compound’s effects. D-Cys blocks an essential enzyme called NFS1, located in the mitochondria — often described as the “powerhouses” of the cell.
By disrupting this enzyme, the compound interferes with vital processes that cancer cells rely on for survival and rapid growth.
A Step Toward More Targeted Cancer Therapies
While further research and clinical trials are required, this discovery opens the door to more precise cancer treatments that could minimize damage to healthy tissues. If successfully developed for human use, this strategy may represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
