A recent move in compound screening dictates the use more biologically relevant cells for drug discovery experiments, but as researchers know, it can be a challenge to obtain enough primary cells. Stem cells have been used to generate biologically relevant cells, but the process is time consuming and expensive.

A study in last month’s Nature Neuroscience supports emerging and exciting potential new use for ion channel blocking drugs. Most known for their neurological activity, ion channel blockers may have a role in treating cancer.