Arsenic: Miracle Aid in the Fight Against Leukemia

Today, Reuters is reporting that arsenic can extend the survival in patients who suffer from a rare form leukemia. Arsenic is a chemical element that is deadly to humans. Arsenic has been known to be used for the purpose of murder. Today, it is frequently used in pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.

The Reuters report goes on to say that adding arsenic to treatment prevents relapse. There is a strong possibility that some patients may be able to skip chemotherapy, this of course after more research and testing.

Trisenox which is the brand name for arsenic trioxide is given to people with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Arsenic trioxide works by destroying disease-causing cells.

Basically, the standard treatment for people with APL is chemotherapy and all-trans retinoic acid, which is a form of vitamin A. With this treatment, patients will often relapse and no longer respond to treatment. This is when they are given arsenic trioxide.

Dr. Nancy Davidson, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology tells Reuters: "The people who took arsenic lived longer."

Another interesting fact taken from the Reuters report is that arsenic has been used in China as a traditional therapy for over 2,000 years.

SOURCE:

Steenhuysen , J. (2007/06/02). If it doesn't kill you: Arsenic helps in cancer. Retrieved June 2, 2007, from Yahoo! News Web site: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070602/hl_nm/cancer_blood_arsenic_dc