New iron nanomaterial wipes out cancer cells without harming healthy tissue

Oregon State University researchers developed an iron-based nanomaterial that completely eliminates cancer cells by triggering two chemical reactions that overwhelm tumors with deadly oxidative stress. Unlike existing treatments that produce only one type of toxic molecule, this new approach generates both hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen simultaneously while sparing healthy tissue. In mouse studies with human breast cancer cells, the treatment achieved complete tumor elimination with no recurrence or side effects.