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Scientists have discovered a small molecule that causes a type of programmed destruction of tumor cells, fighting different types of cancer while leaving healthy cells untouched. The findings are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The action of the N6F11 molecule is based on ferroptosis, a mechanism of cell self-destruction through the accumulation of iron and the production of reactive oxygen species. It also selectively induces degradation of glutathione peroxidase-4, also known as GPX4, a blocker of ferroptosis.
