Light-Activated Molecular Jackhammer Destroys 99% of Cancer Cells in Lab

Scientists report a novel mechanical cancer-killing approach dubbed the molecular jackhammer, which uses aminocyanine dyes activated by near-infrared light to tear apart cancer cell membranes, achieving about 99% destruction in lab cultures and curing roughly half of melanoma mouse models; ongoing work aims to broaden cancer targets with reduced toxicity, but human trials are not yet underway.