Newly synthesized fungal compound can switch on a self-destruct button for cancer

All human body cells have a certain lifespan, during which they perform their essential duties. At the end of this lifespan, they reach senescence and—no longer able to perform those duties—die. This suicidal death is programmed into their genes through a process called apoptosis, causing them to self-destruct in order to make way for fresh, young, and healthy cells to replace them.