Madison, Wisconsin - Scientists at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) report that a new class of tumor-targeting agents can seek out and find dozens of solid tumors, even illuminating brain cancer stem cells that resist current treatments.

Whats more, years of animal studies and early human clinical trials show that this tumor-targeting alkylphosphocholine (APC) molecule can deliver two types of payloads directly to cancer cells: a radioactive or fluorescent imaging label, or a radioactive medicine that binds and kills cancer cells.

This series of images shows how the alkylphosphocholine (APC) molecule targets and illuminates cancer cells.

The results are featured in todays issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine with the journals cover illustration and a podcast.

The APC targeting molecule was created to exploit a weakness shared by tumors as diverse as breast, brain, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin cancers. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells lack the enzymes to metabolize APC and similar phospholipid ethers that merge with cell membranes.

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New tumor-targeting agent images and treats variety of cancers