Stanford scientists discover cells that could hopefully break apart tumors

A group of Stanford researchers recently discovered an explosive cell in flatworms that appears to sacrifice itself in order to kill other cells, possibly paving the way for a new method of medical treatment, a June 2026 article from the university says. 

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According to a Stanford study, the flatwormSchmidteamediterraneacontains “ruptoblasts,” cells that undergo a unique form of explosive cell death called “ruptosis,” which releases cytotoxic agents that annihilate other nearby cells — including bacteria — within minutes. 

Cytotoxins, basic polypeptide toxins found in cobra venom, can cause disease and illness. Shigella dysenteriae, which is foodborne and causes diarrhea, is just one example. Overall, they’re toxic to other other cells — but when reined in, they can be used to destroy cancer cells through chemotherapy.  

Chew Chai, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford’s Wang Lab and co-author of the study, told SFGATE that this discovery was completely unexpected. 

“It’s very surprising mainly because of the speed in which these cells explode and how potent the cytotoxic agents they release [are],” Chai said, explaining that they can kill a wide variety of bacterial and mammalian cells.

“It literally just vanished and exploded within a few minutes,” Chai continued. “It’s almost like it sacrificed itself to kill cells nearby.”

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S. mediterranea can be found in Europe and the Mediterranean, like its namesake. These worms, which typically measure up to 8 centimeters, are also capable of fully regenerating their own bodies after dismemberment and have even been known to regrow multiple heads at once.  

Throughout the study, Stanford researchers observed the effects of activin, a hormone that regulates regeneration and reproduction inS. mediterranea.This hormone is essential for maintaining balance, and high levels of it cause ruptoblasts to detonate. According to the university, just one ruptoblast can release cytotoxins that kill dozens of cells within minutes, making it the most “explosive form of cell death known to date.”   

Chai is now hopeful that through further research, scientists will understand how to program our own immune systems to perform ruptosis, directly breaking apart tumors and hard-to-treat bacterial infections. 

“[We’re] very excited to figure out its explosion mechanisms,” Chai said.