Small Molecule Helps Semi-Suicidal Cancer Cells Pull the Trigger

Cancer cells are often primed for suicide, but many of them hesitate to pull the trigger. They suppress apoptosis, the suicidal urge, by overexpressing antiapoptotic proteins, which counter proapoptotic proteins and prevent BAX, the “executioner molecule,” from being activated. Cancer cells, however, may be encouraged to follow through on suicidal urges by a newly developed molecule. Even better, this molecule does not seem to speak to healthy cells.The new molecule, say its develope