Researchers from UNIGE and Marburg have shown that D-cysteine, the “mirror” form of cysteine, can selectively target specific cancer cells.

Many cancer treatments harm healthy tissue along with tumors, often leading to serious side effects. To reduce this collateral damage, researchers are searching for therapies that act only on cancer cells. An international research team led by the Universities of Geneva (UNIGE) and Marburg has identified an unusual approach involving a “mirror” version of the amino acid cysteine.