Metabolism and the Paradoxical Effects of Arsenic: Carcinogenesis and Anticancer

Title: Metabolism and the Paradoxical Effects of Arsenic: Carcinogenesis and Anticancer

Volume: 15 Issue: 22

Author(s): Xing Cui, Yayoi Kobayashi, Makoto Akashi and Ryuichi Okayasu

Affiliation:

Keywords: Carcinogenesis, tumors, anticancer agent, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), arsenic metabolism, arsenic-radiation therapy, urinary bladder, Arsenic Toxicity

Abstract: Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, can induce tumors of the skin, urinary bladder, liver and lung etc.. On the other hand, arsenic is also a novel promising anticancer agent, and can be used effectively to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and some other tumors. These paradoxical effects of arsenic not only result from direct or indirect influences on the genetic and epigenetic levels, but are also closely correlated with unique arsenic metabolism. This article reviews our recent studies as well as other reports on arsenic metabolism and epigenetic changes of DNA methylation during its metabolism. We also summarize the clinical use of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) to date and discuss new therapeutic strategies such as concurrent arsenic-radiation therapy to achieve local tumor control and enhance the radiosensitivity of solid tumors.

Cite this article as:

Cui Xing, Kobayashi Yayoi, Akashi Makoto and Okayasu Ryuichi, Metabolism and the Paradoxical Effects of Arsenic: Carcinogenesis and Anticancer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 15 (22) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986708785747526