A new cancer treatment more potent than the best-selling cancer drug taxol is
working well in human trials. Epothilone, which comes from soil-dwelling
organisms called myxobacteria, stops cancer cells dividing as taxol does. When a
cell splits in two, elastic protein threads draw the chromosomes apart. But
epothilone binds to these “tubulins” and halts a tumour’s runaway cell division.
“Epothilone stops the chromosomes from being pulled apart,” says Herbie Newell
of the Newcastle University Cancer Research Unit.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
The world's fastest spider tops 3.5 metres per second
2
Babies are born with the neural foundations for maths
3
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
4
Slowdown of AMOC ocean current may be gradual and reversible
5
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
6
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
7
We’ve uncovered a master gene that switches on human development
8
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
9
The best new science-fiction novels published in July 2026
10
Most portable air conditioners suck – but there's an easy fix
