Cancer Cell Death Using Wormlike Micelles Composed of Small Synthetic Molecules

Supramolecular chemistry has attracted a wide range of attention because of unique and fascinating characteristics in nanoscale structures and functional properties since the end of the last century. A supramolecular gel is a typical example of supramolecular chemistry. Peptide amphiphiles, which are designed to have hydrophobic/hydrophilic balances, are representatives of a supramolecular gelator (often called low-molecular-weight gelator, LMWG). Since the molecular weight of a LMWG is relatively small, a precise molecular design allows the programmed self-assembly, which leads to form wormlike micelles (nanofibers) in response to a variety of designated stimuli at the designated time. Several groups including our group reported the formation of nanostructures based on the LMWGs inside living cells, leading to the death of animal and bacterial cells. This article describes our studies on the LMWGs that self-assemble inside living cells in response to cell-related stimuli, leading to selective cell death. The self-assembly of synthetic molecules inside living cells has a high potential for a mode of therapy, disinfection or a novel cell-removal tool.