Russian scientists are developing a new method of curing cancer, revealed Alexander Sobolev, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and head of RAS' Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport laboratory.

The researchers, Sobolev told Scientific Russia magazine, have developed artificial protein molecules that can "identify" cancerous cells and enter these cells' nuclei via intracellular transport mechanisms.

These artificial molecules could potentially be used to carry toxic agents such as radioactive isotopes that would ensure the destruction of cancerous cells with minimal risk of affecting neighboring non-cancerous cells.

Dubbed "modular nanotransporters", these tiny cells consist of several modular blocks that can be altered depending on the task at hand.

In order for these creations to actually become medication, however, they first need to undergo preclinical and clinical trials.

The modular nanotransporter method is specifically designed to deal with micro-tumors that are especially difficult to detect and hard to get rid of.

The researchers also intend to pursue other directions of investigation that emerge during their studies, exploring potential new applications for these artificial molecules.