Experts unravel arsenic mystery

The mysterious paradox of a carcinogenic poison which also acts as a cancer treatment has been unravelled by scientists.

And it is hoped the discovery of how arsenic helps in the fight against leukaemia could lead to improved treatments with fewer side effects.

Exposure to arsenic has been linked not only to cancer, but also diabetes, thickening of the skin, liver disease and digestive problems.

But since the late 18th century, the semi-metallic chemical has been used to treat blood cancer, or leukaemia.

This treatment has come back into fashion over the last 15 years for patients suffering from a rare form of the disease, called acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

It is used for those who do not respond well to other treatments.

The apparent paradox baffled scientists - but new research from the University of Dundee, published today in Nature Cell Biology, has taken a great step in revealing the reasons behind it.

By watching the naturally-occurring chemical at work in animal cells, they found arsenic acts as a glue, sticking a certain type of molecule onto the proteins involved in leukaemia.

This molecule, called Sumo, is then hunted down by an enzyme. This attacks the leukaemia by breaking down the cancer-causing proteins which the molecules have become attached to. Now they have identified the molecule involved, scientists can work on creating a more targeted and effective cancer drugs with fewer side effects.

Professor Ronald Hay, lead author from the University of Dundee, said: "Our discovery is key to understanding how we can enhance the anti-cancer properties of this poison."

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