Scientists create protein that "eats" cancer cells, offering breakthrough in treatment

Kyoto University scientists develop new protein to target, remove unwanted cells

Kyoto University researchers have announced a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape the future of cancer treatment and autoimmune disease therapy. The team has developed a synthetic protein, named "Crunch," designed to selectively remove unwanted cells from the body, including malignant cancer cells and harmful autoimmune cells.

The findings, led by Professor Atsushi Suzuki, a renowned expert in membrane biology, were published in the prestigious journal Nature Biomedical Engineering on September 3.

Why unwanted cells pose health risks

Every day, the human body naturally eliminates between 10 billion and 100 billion cells after they complete their biological functions. Normally, phagocytes—specialized immune cells—consume and break down these dead cells. However, when cells fail to die as they should due to aging or other biological disruptions, they accumulate and increase the risk of serious health conditions such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disorders.

While scientists have explored chemical substances and antibody-based therapies to induce cell death, achieving complete removal of these harmful cells has remained a major challenge.

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How the protein "crunch" works

The Kyoto University team took a different approach by engineering a protein that acts as a molecular bridge between phagocytes and unwanted cells—while the cells are still alive. The protein is programmed to recognize and bind to target cells, marking them for removal by the body’s natural immune process.

When administered to a mouse implanted with malignant melanoma, Crunch successfully removed 20% to 30% of cancer cells. In another test on a mouse with an autoimmune disorder, the protein reduced disease-causing immune cells by approximately 15%.

Potential for clinical application

To accelerate the path toward clinical use, the researchers have already established a startup company with plans to begin human clinical trials within three years.

Professor Suzuki highlighted the broad potential of this innovation, stating:

"The strength of Crunch is that it can be designed to target and eat a wide range of cells. It will also be possible to use the protein in combination with existing treatment methods, and putting it into practical use will lead to the prevention of diseases."

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Looking ahead

If successful in human trials, Crunch could revolutionize therapeutic strategies for some of the most pressing medical challenges, including cancer treatment, autoimmune disorder management, and disease prevention. By leveraging the body’s natural immune defenses, this discovery offers hope for more effective and less toxic treatments compared to conventional therapies.

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