Deep-Sea Sugar Compound Triggers Cancer Cell Self-Destruction

Deep-Sea Sugar Compound Triggers Cancer Cell Self-Destruction
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Researchers have discovered a sugar compound produced by deep-sea bacteria that causes cancer cells to self-destruct through a process called pyroptosis, while also boosting the body’s immune response, SciTech Daily reported. This breakthrough offers a promising new avenue for cancer treatment by harnessing nature’s molecules to selectively destroy tumors.

The compound, named EPS3.9, is a long-chain sugar molecule composed of mannose and glucose. In addition to killing cancer cells in vitro, EPS3.9 demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in mice with liver cancer. The compound also activated immune responses that further help combat tumors.

The findings, published in The FASEB Journal, highlight the potential of marine microbial resources in developing new carbohydrate-based cancer therapies. Corresponding author Dr. Chaomin Sun of the Chinese Academy of Sciences emphasized the importance of exploring the ocean’s microbial diversity to discover innovative treatments.

This discovery marks a promising step toward novel, targeted cancer therapies inspired by deep-sea biology.