Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a groundbreaking use for the common anesthetic lidocaine—turning cancer cells against themselves. The study unveils that lidocaine activates T2R14, a bitter taste receptor abundant in cancer cells, prompting their self-destruction.
This newfound insight not only demystifies lidocaine’s previous suspected benefits in cancer treatment but also pinpoints the mechanisms behind its effectiveness. The breakthrough opens avenues for potential new cancer treatments and sets the stage for clinical trials combining lidocaine with standard therapies.
Read more about this promising development: Lidocaine makes cancer cells self-destruct, study finds
