Gallium induces reduction of negative charge of the cell membrane and redifferentiation of cancer cells.

In order to obtain an insight into the mechanism of experimentally induced redifferentiation of cancer cells, changes in negative charge of the cell membrane were examined by cytopherometry following in vitro exposure of the cancer cells to non-radioactive gallium. Reduction of the negative charge was observed at 24 hr and later. The gallium ions must have neutralized the negative charge of the cancer cell membrane to the normal range. This event may contribute in some way to cancer cell redifferentiation.