Nature ion channels play significant role in the living organisms, which can translocate physiological relevant ions across the cell membranes as demand. To simulate and replace the function of nature channels, researchers are encouraged to develop artificial channels using simple and smart supramolecular structures. Inspired by the complementary hydrogen bonding interactions of DNA/RNA, a team of researchers from East China University of Science and Technology reported a simple synthetic supermolecule system to form stable ion channels in the lipid membranes, and the efficient transport of K⁺ triggers apoptosis of cancer cells. It represents one of the few examples of using complementary hydrogen bonding interactions to construct effective ion channels and offers new perspectives in the developments of anticancer drugs.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are well-known risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC). NAFLD has emerged as a heterogenous disease tightly linked to metabolic dysfunction and has been redefined under the umbrella term ‘steatotic liver disease’ (SLD). However, CRC risk variations across different SLD subgroups remain unknown. Now, researchers from Japan have discovered that the risk of CRC varies significantly among SLD subgroups, with patients with alcoholic liver disease being at higher risk.