Cancer: An Unexpectedly Critical Role of Cell Water?

Abstract A fresh approach to cancer etiology is introduced. The approach rests on the recent recognition that EZ/fourth-phase water ordinarily fills the cell. A consequence is that the negative charge of EZ water arguably creates the cell's negative electrical potential. If so, then the fact that cancer cells have consistently low electrical potential implies a shortage of EZ water. In healthy cells, when low potential maintained for some time, mitosis is triggered. Hence, cancer cells' sustained low electrical potential may be pivotal: it may underlie the rampant cell division that is one of cancer's hallmarks. Effective therapeutic routes may involve methods to build EZ water and thereby increase the cell's electrical potential. Some such routes suggested. If the thesis is on target, then those routes may have promise in dealing effectively with reversing, or even preventing, cancer.