A new way to kill cancer cells has been discovered in the US, it is 99% effective

Scientists have discovered a new way to destroy cancer cells. During the research, they directed near-infrared light at aminocyanine molecules, which made them vibrate. This was enough to rupture the membranes of cancer cells, writes Science Alert.

Aminocyanine molecules are used in biovisualization as synthetic dyes. Typically used in low doses for cancer detection, they remain stable in water and attach well to the outer surface of cells.

The new approach, which was described in the journal Nature Chemistry, was proposed by a research team from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas.

“It is a whole new generation of molecular machines that we call molecular jackhammers,” says chemist James Tour from Rice University.

The use of near-infrared light is important because it allows scientists to penetrate deeper into the body. Bone and organ cancers could potentially be treated without surgery.

In tests on cultured cancer cells grown in the laboratory, the method showed a 99 percent cell-killing efficiency. The approach has also been tested on mice, with half of them getting rid of cancer.