To demonstrate loosely albumin-bound copper toxicity, we tested hepatic HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma) (Figs 3A and S2A) and surrogate brain cell types, such as EA.hy926 (human endothelium) (Figs 3B and S2B), U87MG (human astrocytoma) (Figs 3C and S2C) and SHSY5Y (human neuroblastoma) (Figs 3D and S2D) cells for their vulnerability against Cu–albumin. Here, ALB is linked to astrocytoma (excluding glioblastoma).