Cancer cells have distinct electrical properties that predict a susceptibility to lipophilic anions; a new cancer drug paradigm

Abstract

ABSTRACTI use the Nernst equation, parameterised with experimental data, to predict that cancer cells will accumulate more of a lipophilic anion than normal cells. This effect is correlated to charge number. Model cancer cells accumulate *100 more of an anion, *103 more di-anion, *106 more tri-anion, *108 more tetra-anion and *1010 more penta-anion (>>1 billion times more). The trend endures, conveying even greater specificity, for higher charge numbers. This effect could be leveraged for cancer therapy. Wherein the lipophilic anion is a toxin that targets some vital cellular process, which normal and cancer cells may even share. It delivers a high, lethal dose to cancer cells but a low, safe dose to normal cells. This mathematical finding conveys the prospect of a broad, powerful new front against cancer.