ETH Zurich scientists developed a light-controlled molecular switch designed to kill dormant cancer cells that evade conventional treatment.
Dormant cells can resume growth after chemotherapy, contributing to relapse. The switch targets receptors that allow stressed cancer cells to enter a survival state.
Photoactivatable therapies remain experimental but offer precision unavailable to many systemic drugs. Researchers tested the approach in laboratory models before considering clinical translation.
The work joins a wave of research addressing minimal residual disease — cancer cells that persist undetected after apparent remission.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
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Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/