Mutated Cancer Cells (IMAGE) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Caption The researchers exposed various mutated cancer cells to the cancer-killing drug OTS964. Nearly all strains (columns 1-3) were killed. Cancer cells flourished (stained violet) only when they mutated to resist the drug's ability to block their CDK11 protein receptors, indicating that CDK11 is essential for cancer growth, or a 'cancer addiction.' Credit Sheltzer lab/CSHL, 2019 Usage Restrictions Attribution needed License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.