Chinese researchers have unlocked a novel way to combat liver cancer by harnessing silybin, a natural compound found in traditional medicinal plants. The discovery reveals how cancer cells’ “energy highway” can be disrupted to halt tumor growth.
A team led by Tianjin University Professor Ye Sheng identified silybin’s ability to block monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), a critical channel cancer cells use to transport lactate – their primary metabolic fuel. This process starves tumors of energy while causing toxic buildup within cancer cells.
“Silybin binds precisely to MCT1 like a key jamming a lock,” explained Ye. Laboratory tests showed reduced tumor growth in cellular models and mice after treatment, with minimal harm to healthy cells.
The study published in a leading scientific journal addresses a key challenge in oncology: cancer cells’ ability to reprogram their metabolism for uncontrolled growth. Unlike synthetic drugs, silybin’s natural origin positions it as a potentially safer therapeutic candidate.
This breakthrough builds on China’s growing role in biopharmaceutical innovation, blending traditional medicine knowledge with modern molecular biology. Researchers are now optimizing silybin derivatives for future clinical trials, offering hope for more targeted cancer therapies worldwide.
